YOUNG people in Okehampton and the surrounding area are being invited to join the police cadets.

Sgt Pennie Channing, neighbourhood team leader at Okehampton Police (pictured), is in the process of setting up the group who will meet once a week at Okehampton Police Station. She hopes to get it up and running in the autumn.

Anyone aged between 13 and 17 can join the cadets, a nationally-recognised police uniformed youth group aimed at encouraging a spirit of adventure and good citizenship. And the new operation also needs adult volunteers to help run it.

Sgt Channing said the initiative was part of efforts to involve more people who are not police officers in volunteer roles supporting the police.

‘It is basically for 13-17 year olds to have the chance to do some volunteering within their community,’ she said. ‘It gives them something to put on their CVs and means they are doing something helpful so they can go out into the world as adults with some experience under their belts.

‘I have spoken to Okehampton College and they are very keen to support it.’

She said more details would be shared on social media and in the press nearer the time.

‘It is a case of “watch this space”,’ she added. More information can be found at vpc.police.uk.