NEW recruits have signed up to become police cadets in Portishead.

On Thursday, the new members were welcomed into the police service and swore their oath in front of families and friends. Just a few days later they also joined Portishead’s Remembrance Day parade along the town’s High Steet.

As part of the public engagements they will attend, they will also be on patrol at the Christmas lights switch-on event on November 24 and the Victorian evening on December 12, both also taking place in High Street.

The cadets will meet once a week during term time at Gordano School to learn about all aspects of policing and will also volunteer to help in their communities. The 23 teenagers are all aged between 14-17 and go to Clevedon, Gordano, Nailsea and St Katherine’s schools.

During Thursday’s ceremony held at the force headquarters, Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Watson said: “I’d like to thank the cadets for volunteering to help your local communities and make North Somerset an even safer place.

“You all bring something different which can only be a benefit for our organisation.”

After some initial training, police cadets also volunteer with neighbourhood beat teams, accompanying PCSOs on foot patrols, helping with house-to-house enquiries and joining Speed Watch volunteers.

They also have the chance to take part in team-building activities.

New recruit Fred Stubbs, aged 14, said: “This is a great opportunity to get to know people and get involved in helping the community and helping make sure people feel safe.

“I’m interested in becoming a detective with the police, although I am not entirely sure what I would like to do, so this is a really great chance to find out what policing is like and make my mind up.”