POLICE spiced up their latest recruitment drive by holding it in an Indian restaurant.

Worcester police organised last night's event at Pasha restaurant, Malvern Road, St John's, in a bid to woo ethnic minority groups and encourage them to think about a career in West Mercia Constabulary.

Officers hoped the venue would provide an ideal opportunity for anyone interested in joining the police service to chat to serving officers - some of whom were from ethnic minority groups themselves - in an informal setting over a buffet.

"We are specifically hoping to recruit people from the Pakistani and Bangladeshi community," said Chief Supt Simon Adams of Worcester police.

"While visibly ethnic minority officers are well represented across all police departments, including the traffic policing unit and CID, we do not have any staff from the Pakistani and Bangladeshi community yet they make up two per cent of the population in Worcester."

Mr Adams said he hoped the evening would also increase awareness within the Bangladeshi and Pakistani community about the variety of jobs on offer within West Mercia Constabulary.

"It's not just about being a police officer, there are other jobs available, from special constables to clerks," he said.

Nurul Haque, manager of Pasha, who joined forces with police to organise the evening, said: "This is a very exciting event and a positive approach from the police."

And Saqib Mahmood, who dropped in to Pasha to find out more about joining the police, said he welcomed the opportunity to talk to officers on a one-to-one basis.

"Building a good relationship with the community is a very good thing for everyone, the police and the community."