CASH-strapped coppers in Wiltshire are taking on second jobs – including three applying to be masseurs – to make ends meet.

The news comes after the Adver revealed last week that police officers will be receiving a pay boost this year while their civilian counterparts will not.

Ten police officers have already applied to take on second jobs – or register business interests – this year alone.

But almost 300 have worked a second job since police records began in 1990.

Among the jobs applied was a PC’s application for his wife to form a bouncy castle hire company, work as a television and film extra, a children’s entertainer, two sports masseurs and a mobile masseuse, a jewellery designer and an Eddie Stobart lorry die-cast model supplier.

Ten officers, including a detective constable and an inspector, applied to be in a band and one officer registered a meat company.

Applications to become a heavy goods vehicle relief driver and a funeral director were declined.

The figures were obtained following a Freedom of Information Act request from the Adver.

Chief Superintendent for Wiltshire Paul Howlett said that while second jobs did not interfere with an individual’s role as a police officer, he had no objections to staff pursuing an additional interest.

“It is obviously important that any outside interest does not conflict with an officer’s duties within the force,” he said.

“For instance an officer cannot run licensed premises as there may be a conflict of interest arising from it.

“Equally someone applying to be a long-distance lorry driver couldn’t then be expected to come in after a night’s driving and operate an emergency vehicle to carry out duties as an armed response officer.”

The most popular business interest came from officers renting out second homes or overseas properties, while others applied to mark exam papers or coach children’s sports teams.

Chief Supt Howlett said he could not give an opinion of why officers may choose to pursue a second job.

“I don’t know whether it is money or they have an interest outside of work that they want to continue,” he said.

“Personally, I’m not sure I would do a second job myself – unless they need a leading man in the next Keira Knightley movie.”