SPECIAL Constables have been praised for keeping the county safe during the floods.
 

The volunteers contributed almost 1,300 hours of support in two days.
 

130 who helped performed more than 151 tasks across the county.
 

Their involvement was praised as invaluable.
 

Essex Police is looking for many more Special Constables.
 

The number of officers and PCSOs are being cut to help Essex Police reduce its annual spend by £78million by 2016.
 

It follows large reductions in Government grants.
 

The floods have shown what an impact the volunteers can have and what a Special can do for their county.
 

Following the tidal surge Colchester’s Leon Dias, chief officer of the Special Constabulary in Essex, said: “This was a really amazing response, true to the ethos of the Special Constabulary of providing ‘resilience at times of peak demand’.
 

“Some officers worked duties in excess of 18 hours, some left day jobs early, some took leave from day jobs to help, some changed family plans, but everyone did so without moaning and with enthusiasm.
 

“I was very proud to be part of this excellent team and humbled to serve alongside my fellow Specials on Thursday and Friday.”
 

Police and Crime Commisisoner Nick Alston added: “The emergency service teams and partner agencies all rose to the challenge of the flooding with professionalism and commitment.
 

“The response of the Essex Police Special Constabulary was magnificent, and we should all be very proud of their endeavours to keep the people of our county safe from harm.  As Police and Crime Commissioner, I thank Leon and his officers for a special response.”