Soham’s newly-qualified volunteer police cadets took their oath in full uniform following a 13-week induction programme.

The youngsters, all aged between 13 and 16, took their service oath in front of guests including the Mayor of Ely, Councillor Lis Every, and Cambridgeshire’s High Sheriff, Captain Victor Lucas, at the formal passing out ceremony at Ely Cathedral.

The ceremony followed an intensive 13-week induction programme which has prepared the cadets for community safety work within their local communities.

Topics covered during the course included crime prevention, local policing and being a good citizen. The volunteering work can also count towards the Princes Trust/ Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

Cambridgeshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Sir Graham Bright hosted the ceremony and was the first to congratulate the new recruits.

Sir Graham said: “I’m immensely proud of these young people for their achievements in the very intensive training period.

“The cadet scheme instils confidence and pride within the young volunteers at the same time as helping local people’s lives and shows them it is possible to make a positive difference to their neighbourhood.

Upon graduation, the volunteer cadets devote at least three hours per month to help build stronger, safer and more supportive local communities.

In addition to weekly meetings, the cadets can volunteer in their local neighbourhood, support police teams at public events, deliver crime prevention advice to the public and carry out mystery shopper activities for age-restricted items.

The first volunteer police cadet programme was set up in partnership with the Thomas Deacon Academy in Peterborough to inspire young people to participate positively in their communities.

The latest cadets will work from the Commissioner’s second unit based at Soham Village College. There are plans for the scheme to be rolled out to Wisbech and Cambridge City.