PCs John Childs and Sarah Smith among an 18-strong contingent of new officers fresh from Hendon Police College were raring to go this week.

The pair stepped out on the beat in Golders Green for the first time after completing 18 weeks of basic training.

They will now undergo a five-week street duty course before being posted across the borough.

Both were looking forward to the challenge.

"I've got a lot of friends in the job and they used to tell me about how exciting it was," said PC Childs. "That was definitely the biggest influence which encouraged me to join the force."

The 25-year-old university graduate from Stevenage said it was an ideal time to become a police officer, despite recent Home Office criticism of clear-up rates.

"All these changes make it all the more challenging right now, and that made me even more determined to join," he added.

His views were echoed by PC Smith, 24, from Watford.

Both are part of a new breed of university-educated young police.

As probationary officers they will earn £25,953 a year.

"This is something I have always wanted to do but I wanted to further my education first," said PC Smith.

"The pay wasn't really something I joined the force for as far as I'm concerned I'm young and single with no commitments."

PC Smith, who completed a business studies degree at Cardiff University before joining the force, added: "The most important thing is for me to be in a job I enjoy.

"I have trained with some great people we're all in the same team and it's good to be working with people who are supportive."

December 12, 2001 18:25