A Police Cadet scheme is helping create safer communities by encouraging respect, confidence and making good citizens of the region's young people.

That's the view of Greater Manchester's Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd who has given the cadets the thumbs up by agreeing to fund the scheme for the next year.

Greater Manchester Police will continue to recruit 13 to 17 year-olds from across many of the most deprived areas of the counter. The aim is to provide them with life skills and improve their understanding of local policing and community safety.

Over 300 teenagers participate in the varied programme of activities developed by Sergeant Jane Butler and Youth Strategy Officer PC Andrew Marsden.

Tony Lloyd said: “The cadets scheme has been vital in attempting to tackle anti-social behaviour, providing a greater understanding of issues affecting the community for the police, and improving employment opportunities for young people.

“This scheme would not be possible without the dedicated volunteers, who give up hours of their own time each week to work with the young people.

“Together with GMP, I want to do as much as possible to raise the self confidence, fitness and qualifications of young people. It’s good for the cadets themselves, but is also of real benefit to society as a whole.”

Greater Manchester Police Sergeant Jane Butler, who has worked closely with the cadets since their formation added: “The aims of the scheme are to promote and encourage practical interest in policing amongst young people and to bridge the gap between them and the police.

“Being in the cadets encourages a spirit of adventure and develops qualities of leadership and good citizenship.

“It gives young people the opportunity to make a difference in their local community and gain a lot of skills that will be transferable not just in the police but other occupations too.”