Spalding Police Cadets unit is axed, leaving families ‘devastated’

Teenagers have been left ‘heartbroken’ by a sudden decision to axe a police cadet unit.

Disappointed Spalding cadets and their parents have asked Lincolnshire Police to think again and re-start their unit – and save them a long journey to Grantham, Lincoln or Skegness meetings.

The force says that the decision has been taken due to a shortage of leaders – but some of the parents believe that two new volunteers had been recruited and thought this would secure its future.

Leah Page says her daughter Darcie (15) joined the cadets as she wants to be a police officer and that she has gained a lot out of the Wednesday meetings after joining a year ago.

Miss Page, of Spalding, said they had been contacted last week to say the unit will not be returning after the summer holidays.

She said: “Darcie is heartbroken. She loved Wednesday evenings - it was the highlight of her week.

“Unfortunately the travel is going to be hard because I have two other children.

“We are really disappointed. We knew the cadet leaders but we had recruited two so as far as we iw as aware that was what we needed.

“We feel that it was sudden.

“I think they should think again. I have emailed the crime commissioner.

“I feel that they have taken these opportunities away from them.”

Sharon Genovese says her son Thomas is in his final year of cadets – and may have to travel further afield to retain this on his cv.

Mrs Genovese said: “We are devastated. He is heartbroken.

“We didn’t know that they had a shortage of leaders. They should have advertised that. I had offered to be a leader.”

Thomas has wanted to be a police officer since he was six-years-old after visiting The Deeping Station with his grandmother.

He said: “I spoke to the PCSOs and that’s when my interest peaked.

“Being a cadet gives you an insight into the work of an officer. I have met a lot of new people and I have learned a lot. They have tought me to do what you believe is right and given me more knowledge.”

A police spokesman said: “The safety of our cadets is our top priority and the trust parents place in us is something we take extremely seriously.

“It’s with this in mind we have chosen to take the difficult decision to pause our Spalding cadet scheme.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have enough leaders to maintain the correct supervisor/cadet ratio to comply with safeguarding requirements, and we aren’t prepared to take any risks.

“We have contacted everyone impacted by the upcoming pause in service and are exploring opportunities to relocate some cadets to other parts of the county.

“We do want to continue providing the cadet experience to our communities in and around Spalding, but more volunteers are required for us to do so.

“Vacancies are available and if you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, please visit Cadet Leader Volunteer (Ref: 38) | Lincolnshire Police (lincs.police.uk)”