Hundreds of would-be police officers in the Midlands are still waiting for jobs despite having passed entrance exams, it emerged today.

West Midlands Police has 240 candidates who have passed all stages of recruitment but have yet to be taken on. Around 500 have also passed initial tests.

The force held its last recruitment event in June but has since put a freeze on recruitment. West Mercia Police said today “a number” of would-be officers were waiting for job offers but was unable to confirm an exact figure.

Forces say roles they had anticipated would need filling have not materialised, partly because of budget cuts and also because fewer officers are leaving due to the recession.

Toby Shergold, spokesman for West Mercia Police, today admitted the force was reviewing all aspects of its operations to see if savings could be made. He said the waiting times had “not really changed”, adding: “All those people who are waiting have been told that we’re going through a review process and will be contacted in the coming months.”

The Metropolitan Police is reported to have recruited 2,000 potential officers in January last year.

The new staff were told they would start training last spring, but despite passing interviews and exams, they have now received letters saying they should “gain life experience” while they wait.

Updated: February 4 at 10.42am.