A POLICE cadet unit covering Newton Abbot and the surrounding area is celebrating after being named Unit of the Year for Devon and Cornwall – but its leaders say more adult volunteers are needed to help keep it running.

The Newton Abbot Volunteer Police Cadet Unit received the award at the Citizens in Policing Awards on September 19, recognising the work of its cadets and volunteer leaders.

The unit also celebrated another success on the night, with one of its cadets being named Cadet of the Year for the second consecutive year.

PC Dimitra Stewart-Palapanou, who runs the unit, said the awards were a proud moment for everyone involved.

‘We are quite proud about it’, she said.

‘They develop different skills – increasing their confidence, making new friends and learning different things. There’s also a lot of community engagement’.

The unit currently has around 25 cadets, aged from 13 to 18, although demand means prospective cadets can currently be placed on a waiting list.

Rather than simply preparing young people for careers in policing, the unit aims to give them a safe environment in which to develop confidence, learn new skills and become involved in their local communities.

Activities vary from learning about policing and taking part in practical scenarios to quizzes, games, drill and community projects.

Cadets have also been involved in initiatives including test purchasing operations involving age-restricted products, visits to care homes, fundraising and litter picking.

But with the unit relying heavily on volunteers, PC Stewart-Palapanou says recruiting more adults is now a priority.

‘There’s three of us that are the main ones’, she said. ‘The main thing is we just want them to come there and, for two hours, focus on supervising the children, taking care of them and being there for them – but also supporting and inspiring them’.

The unit needs a minimum of three adults to run its sessions, meaning a shortage of volunteers can sometimes result in activities having to be cancelled.

And potential volunteers do not need previous policing experience.

PC Stewart-Palapanou said the unit actively wants people with different backgrounds, skills and experiences to get involved.

‘You don’t have to have any policing experience’, she said. ‘We actually want the variety of people, the variety of skills and experiences’.

Existing volunteers have already brought different strengths to the unit.

Andrew Baker, who was previously a cadet himself, helps with IT, while Nikki Mortimore has taken on responsibility for events.

The unit is looking for people who can bring their own skills to the group, whether that is social media, organising events or simply supporting the cadets during weekly sessions.

Anyone over 18 can apply, with successful applicants going through the appropriate vetting and recruitment process.

PC Stewart-Palapanou said anyone interested can contact her informally for more information, while applications can be made through the national Volunteer Police Cadets programme.

‘We have a lot of different things going on’, she said. ‘I just want them to know that we’re here, we’re doing something, and if you want to know more, just get in touch’.

Despite the challenges, the Unit of the Year award provides a timely recognition of the work being done by the cadets and volunteers.

And for PC Stewart-Palapanou, the biggest reward is seeing the young people develop.

‘We treat them as part of a family’, she said. ‘Most of them will be with us from 13 until they turn 18, so we get the privilege of seeing the development’.