Greater Manchester Police chiefs are on a recruitment drive to bring retired officers back to the force to help during the coronavirus pandemic.

The outbreak has put a strain on resources as police have been given extra responsibilities to clampdown on rulebreakers while some officers have been forced to self-isolate.

The retired cops would carry out frontline roles, deal with local investigations, support call-handling and take reports from the public.

In a social media post, Greater Manchester Police wrote: "Due to the current unprecedented situation and the impact of Covid-19 on policing and the community, we are looking to re-engage retired police officers.

"We will be able to offer a range of roles: front line roles, dealing with local investigations, supporting call handling, taking reports from the public."

It comes after the NHS made a similar announcement, calling for recently retired medics to rejoin in the fight against the coronavirus.

On Sunday evening, Boris Johnson announced that more than 20,000 retired doctors and nurses had signed up to help.

Police officers have been asked to carry out more duties during the coronavirus outbreak to ensure that people stay at home and avoid social contact with others.

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins

Officers have been tasked with clamping down on unnecessary travel and breaking up public gatherings in a bid to prevent the spread of Covid-19

Residents are only allowed out to exercise once a day, travel to and from work where ‘absolutely necessary’ and shop for essential items or for medical or care needs.

In just 24 hours over the weekend, officers in the region broke up 21 large gatherings.

They also dealt with 21 'non-essential' businesses that had continued trading despite the strict rules in place.

The coronavirus pandemic has put a strain on resources

On Monday, Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said a large number of staff have been forced to self-isolate, reducing numbers by around ten per cent.

And on Tuesday, Mr Hopkins announced that police have had to set up a new squad just to deal with the coronavirus deaths in the region.

Anyone who is interested in rejoining GMP is asked to email Covid19Rejoiners@gmp.police.uk.