Some are so successful that they have begun posting job listings on the dark web to attract recruits.

Despite a major campaign to attract recruits to hit a target of 30,000, the number joining dropped last year for the first time in a decade.

Health bosses also warn job security, regular training and a good pension are not enough to attract recruits.

Will this salary be sufficient to attract recruits?

This created a bewildering scene of groups rapidly spawning, merging, and splintering, often trying to outdo each other in radicalism to attract recruits.