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Apply Now to Join Dorset Police Cadets at The Bourne Academy

Young people who want to enjoy fun activities while helping their community are being invited to join the county’s first volunteer police cadet unit.

The scheme, set up by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset with support from Dorset Police, will be based at The Bourne Academy and will start taking its first recruits this summer.

People aged 13-18 and from a wide range of backgrounds across Bournemouth are now being invited to come forward.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill said: “Joining the cadets is a fantastic way of boosting your confidence, playing a positive role in your community, but mainly – having a good time.

“I’ve heard some incredible stories about young people whose lives have been transformed after joining cadet forces in other parts of the country, and I look forward to seeing how teenagers here in Dorset will benefit from this excellent scheme.”

Cadets will take part in regular sports, fitness and outdoor activities but will also find out about how police officers work – from administering first aid to using a police radio and detecting crimes.

They will develop leadership skills by taking part in community projects – such as helping older people understand cyber crime, fundraising for local charities and assisting with road safety campaigns.

Volunteers, recruited by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, will run the unit and will work directly alongside Dorset Police.

The unit was set up thanks to a £2,500 grant from the national Volunteer Police Cadets’ group. Cadets will be provided with their own uniform but will have to pay £2 weekly subscription to fund activities and events.

Martyn Underhill added: “Volunteer police cadets aren’t about trying to recruit police officers of the future. Far from it – the unit is a marvellous way of enabling the police to engage with young people and the wider community – as well as giving our young people valuable opportunities to learn and be heard.

“Although this first unit will be based in Bournemouth, I hope we will be able to set up others across the county in the future.”

Mark Avoth, Principal of The Bourne Academy, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for young people across Bournemouth to make new friends, build their confidence and learn valuable life skills that will prove invaluable in their future development.

“I’m proud to be hosting the new cadet unit at The Bourne Academy and I look forward to seeing how the young people who take advantage of this scheme will go on to grow as individuals.”

Anyone who wants to apply to become a volunteer cadet should go HERE for more information.