Children from a Swanley primary school are now fully fledged mini cadets after passing a nine-week course.
Mini cadet programmes involve pupils at eighteen schools across the county. The programmes teach young people, aged between eight and eleven, about responsible citizenship and helping others.
Sessions are held during school hours and are led by Kent Police cadet coordinators and youth engagement officers.
The children learn about police code of conduct, uniform standards, and receive important advice on issues such as online safety and dangers around drugs.
Exceptional effort
Youth and Mini Cadet Coordinator, Julia Lindon-Taylor, said: ‘The children have been so excited to be involved in the mini cadets and have also learned important lifesaving skills, including first aid, CPR and how to get help from the emergency services.
‘They have put in an exceptional amount of effort and have fully deserved their certificates.’
The Mini Police Cadet Programme was launched in April 2021 with funding from the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott.
In addition to the mini cadets initiative, Kent Police also runs a cadets programme for young people aged 13 to 18.
Volunteers involved in the scheme meet once a week and participate in a number of community initiatives across the year.
For more information on taking part, click here.