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Croydon Volunteer Police Cadets (VPC) have come top in a London-wide competition designed to test the youngsters’ policing knowledge, physical skills and team dynamics.

A team of 12 Cadet from across the Warwickshire and West Mercia Police Alliance travelled to the Isle of Man to take part in a Cadets Challenge Competition organised by The Isle of Man cadets and the Isle of Man Police. The event was very kindly sponsored very by island business Ellan Vannin Fuels and organised by PC Mike Griffiths and team from the Isle of Man Police Youth Scheme This is an annual event and open to all forces Cadet Units. Warwickshire and West Mercia were the reigning champions going into the cup as they we won it the previous time the competition was held.

On Sunday 1st July Hyde VPC had a stall with a mix of past and present police paraphernalia at the Rotary club annual fete, held at Gee Cross. A small ‘crime scene’ was taped off at the rear of the display on which the youngsters visiting for a photo call were invited to search for ‘evidence’ (including a 50p coin which the finder could keep). As usual the event was enjoyed by all - and the cadets in attendance were once again great ambassadors as representatives of the police family and Greater Manchester Police.

A team of volunteer police cadets from Leicestershire Police took part in this year’s Light the Lakes challenge, to raise money for a charity supporting the families of fallen officers. Seven cadets took part in the challenge, which involved climbing 700 metres to reach the top of Pavey Ark, one of the Wainwright Peaks in the Lake District. The challenge took place overnight from Friday 22 June to the Saturday morning, with a synchronised lighting of beacons at 3am from the top of the peak.

Hertfordshire Police trial the Mini Police programme and due to it's success, will now roll it out across the force area.

On Tuesday 19th June 2018 Volunteer Police Cadets from Tower Hamlets and Sutton VPC appeared on BBC Crimewatch roadshow live with Lorin Lafave from the Breck Foundation. They spoke about the social action that they are doing as Breck Ambassadors in order to educate young people in staying safe whilst online gaming.

On Monday 4th June 2018 the VPC was part of a special feature on BBC Crimewatch Roadshow. The feature included South Wales Police Youth Volunteers demonstrating drill, first aid and the bleep test. It also featured Nabil a cadet from the Metropolitan Police Kensington & Chelsea VPC along with Sgt Leon Coltress from the Metropolitan Police Service who only 10 years ago was a member of the VPC in London. Not forgetting our very own Mr Ed Sherry OBE the VPC National Hub Director. It was just fantastic!!!

On the 22nd May 2018 the success of the Volunteer Police Cadets was celebrated at an event hosted by Baroness Harris of Richmond and Devon & Cornwall Police’s Chief Constable, Shaun Sawyer at the House of Lords. Mr Sawyer has national responsibility for the scheme which has recently benefited from two years of Home Office funding, worth £1.8m, from the Police Innovation Fund. During this time the Volunteer Police Cadets National team has supported the creation of more than 400 new VPC Units attracting members aged 9 to 18 across the programme. There are now 15,776 cadets nationwide.

HRH Prince of Wales chose his birthday to shine a light on his Patronage charities, of which Youth United Foundation played an extensive and notable role in the festivities, over 6000 invited guests attended a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, celebrating HRH 70th birthday.

Cadets from Taunton and Street VPC units were recently recognised at ‘The Pride of Somerset Youth Awards’.