A GROUP of 20 teenagers have been officially sworn in as police cadets after completing their training.

The group of young people aged 14 to 16 from the Richmondshire area were officially sworn in as Volunteer Police Cadets (VPC) on Wednesday.

They joined Catterick Garrison’s first ever police cadet unit back in September and have successfully completed their initial training.

A passing out ceremony was held at Risedale Sports and Community College, where they meet once a week during term time to learn about policing and the law and take part in sports and drill sessions.

As cadets they will now be expected to contribute at least three hours each month to cadet duties. These range from helping with local community events, helping local police with crime prevention and community safety events and acting as role play volunteers in the training of student police officers.

The cadets took the Cadet Oath in front of Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Phil Cain who also carried out a parade inspection with the High Sheriff of North Yorkshire, Simon Wrightson.

He said: “Our cadets can be extremely proud of what they have achieved so far and I congratulate them on their attestation. They can now look forward to being part of the wider policing family where they will become ambassadors for both young people and for North Yorkshire Police.

“It was a particularly proud moment for me, being a former pupil of the college”, he added.

College principal, Colin Scott said: “The ceremony was an emotional experience for me. I was filled with extreme pride not just for our own Risedale pupils, but also the other cadets from around the local area. These young people who were smart and full of self-pride and confidence, are a credit to the local community and I just know that they will help support better communities for us all."

Catterick is the third Volunteer Police Cadet unit opened by North Yorkshire Police, and follows the opening of the York unit in 2015 and Scarborough’s in 2016.