A THAMES Valley Police team wants to encourage graduates to take up the challenge of becoming a police officer at an event in Oxford next week.

The Community Recruitment Network will have a stand at Oxford Brookes University's Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair on Monday.

A police spokesman said: "They will offer advice and encouragement to people, particularly those from black, minority ethnic (BME) groups, to give them the confidence to succeed the selection process."

Inspector Ian Smith, who leads the Community Recruitment Network, said: "As the UK's largest non-metropolitan police force, Thames Valley Police has a lot to offer potential recruits. The variety of roles is almost as diverse as the communities we serve.

"We recognise that a representative workforce is essential to providing a good service and that many of the skills we need to do this, such as speaking a second language, are readily available within members of the BME community.

"However, our experience shows that people from these communities often have reservations about following this career path, although they may be genuinely interested in the role. My team helps individuals to overcome these obstacles and provide advice and practical support where necessary."

PC Beverly Kaur, who is part of the team and is based in Oxford, transferred to Thames Valley Police from West Yorkshire in 2002. She urges anyone curious about a career with the police to come along on Monday: She said: "There is no other job like working for the police. It is rewarding and no two days are the same; it certainly isn't nine to five.

"I'm really pleased to be part of the Community Recruitment Network as I am now able to use my personal experience to help others join and enjoy the great opportunities available. The others on the team are just as enthusiastic, so please come along and meet us on Monday and see if we can assist you in any way."