Central Trains and Midland Mainline along with bus firms Arriva Midlands, First Bus, Centre Bus, Kinch Bus and Trent Barton have joined the scheme.

Chief Constable Matt Baggott said: "Our theme for this year is about getting personal - listening to members of our diverse communities".

The scheme, which covers Leicestershire and Rutland, starts on 19 December.

Dominic Booth, deputy chief executive of National Express Group Trains Division, said the scheme was one of the first of its kind in the country.

"We hope this will encourage local police officers to make the best use of public transport in the county," he said.

All uniformed officers will ride free on the trains whilst both uniformed and plainclothes officers will be ticket-free on the buses.