New mini Police Cadets join the force

The newest ranks at Durham Constabulary are junior to say the least - but they are the first to be recruited to a brand new scheme being piloted in County Durham and Darlington.

In the past many police forces only took Cadet Volunteers aged between 14 and 18.

However, Durham is now one of the first forces in the country to recruit volunteers aged between 11 and 13 years old to become a part of the Junior Police Cadet Volunteer scheme.

The Junior Cadets have now bridged the gap between the Mini Police and the Intermediates which enables children to stay on as a volunteer from nine to 18.

The introduction of the Junior Cadets comes after the Mini Police programme introduced by the force.

The Mini Police takes volunteers aged between 9 and gives them a fun based but interactive experience helping the police and participating in community events.