A Chelmsford schoolgirl has encouraged other youngsters to ‘just go for it’ and take up the opportunity of joining Essex Police’s Volunteer Police Cadets.

Amy-Neave Purser, 15, who attends Great Baddow High School, has been part of the Chelmsford and Maldon Cadet Unit since it launched in April this year.

Amy said: "I’ve always wanted to join the police – I wanted to join the Metropolitan Police and work in their mounted section, because I’m a horse rider.

"I also enjoy science, so the forensic side of policing has always interested me.

"After I’ve finished school and college, I want to go to uni to study medicine and pathology, and hopefully have a career in medicine or policing after that”.

The Volunteer Police Cadets (VPC) is a uniformed voluntary youth organisation, supported by the Police, and open to young people aged 13-18 from across the UK’s diverse communities, irrespective of their background or financial circumstances, and including those vulnerable to crime or social exclusion.

The Volunteer Police Cadet programme offers a fantastic variety of opportunities to the young people involved, many of which would otherwise be well beyond their expectations.

The aim is to prepare young people for their future by providing varied activities and opportunities to develop qualifications, enhance interpersonal skills and confidence, and achieve a sense of pride through supporting community policing.

The current intake of cadets, who have weekly meetings at the Chelmsford Boys Club in Rectory Lane, take part in a variety of activities and receive specialist input from the Cadet Unit leaders, made up of local police officers and staff.

Amy explains: "We’re concentrating on drill at the moment, to prepare for our passing out parade in front of the Chief Constable in September.

"We also have sessions to discuss equality, diversity and other subjects.

"We’ve learnt skills like how to report missing persons to the police – and even how to take care of our uniforms!”

Another appeal of joining the cadets has been to meet other like-minded pupils from different schools and areas.

Amy said: "Another great thing is that I’ve been able to make a lot of new friends with similar interests as me.

"You also see the officers as cadet leaders in a different light – we know that if we ever have a problem either in cadets or outside of the unit, that we can approach any police officer or PCSO and ask for help.”

The cadets are currently looking forward to their passing out parade on September 19, where they will be watched on by Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh, as well as their family and friends.

Amy said: "My mum and dad are really proud and can’t wait for the parade – we got our uniforms recently and when I tried it on, my mum started welling up because she said I looked very smart and grown up!

"My advice for anyone that wants to join the cadets to just do it – give it a go! It can be quite daunting, but it is one of the best things I’ve done – I’ve made great friendships from this. New recruits will have us around to help and support them when they join”.

The Chelmsford and Maldon Cadet Unit and brand new units in Southend and Epping are currently on the lookout for young people aged between 13-17 years old to join new cadet intakes in September.

A high level of applications for this programme are expected so register your interest as soon as possible.

A decision will be made on successful applications for the first cohort at least two weeks before the start date, and successful applicants will be notified.

For further information about the VPC scheme or to request an application form, please contact volunteer.police. cadets @essex.pnn.police.uk