Police appeal for volunteers to lead cadet units

A police force is appealing for volunteers to lead cadet units across a county which, without them, could be at risk of closure.

Cambridgeshire Police runs six units for young people aged 13 to 18 who are either aspiring to be police officers or who are hoping to learn life skills.

Without volunteers the force said the Fens and Peterborough group was most at risk of closing permanently.

Insp Jim Stevenson, who joined the cadets as a helper and now leads a unit himself, said: "I love being a cadet leader... I went from volunteering as a helper to being a leader within weeks."

Through the units, the force hopes to promote a practical understanding of policing among young people, encourage good citizenship, support local policing and inspire young people to positively engage in their community.

Mr Stevenson has been with the force for 23 years and became a leader in 2017. He now leads the Ely group.

He said: "I love being a cadet leader. You can turn up to a meeting feeling absolutely exhausted after work... but the kids are so enthusiastic that when you get to the end of the session you are absolutely buzzing.

"I started running the Cambridge group of cadets. Occasionally I'd see adverts on our intranet asking for new cadet leaders... I went from volunteering as a helper to being a leader within weeks."

Mr Stevenson said one of the most rewarding parts was celebrating the youngsters' achievements and helping them through adversity.

He said: "The teenagers attend because they have a community spirit and enjoy the volunteering stuff - they are interested in the police and want to be youth ambassadors for us.

"With up to 25% of them coming to us from vulnerable backgrounds, it's a privilege to help them through rough times and divert them from potentially getting involved in crime."

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