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20,000 interested in just 450 West Midlands Police jobs

Almost 20,000 people have expressed an interest in 450 new police officer jobs on offer in the West Midlands it has emerged.

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The new roles will bring an end to a five year recruitment freeze at the force.

More than 10,000 people expressed an interest in the jobs within the first four days of it opening, with this figure now doubling to almost 20,000 since it opened in February.

The official application process for posts will start later this month.

It is believed around 75 per cent of those who have expressed an interest are under the age of 30, with 70 per cent living in the West Midlands.

Successful applicants will have a starting salary of £21,999.

The new officers will be paid through an increase in the amount the force receives in council tax.

Last month it emerged West Midlands Police had paid consultants £188,000 to help with the recruitment process.

Bosses said it would have cost 'an awful lot more' if they had not hired the consultants.

Chief Constable Chris Sims said human resources staff had been lost over the previous five years because there was no point in keeping them while recruitment was frozen.

Applicants will undergo assessments, fitness and medical tests.

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