Volunteer Police Cadets help spread the word about community safety

A group of volunteer Police Cadets have delivered thousands of leaflets to residents in Liverpool, to help collect their views on how to reduce serious violence across the region.

The leaflet drop is part of the Merseyside Police Cadet scheme, which sees young people aged 16-18 experience first-hand what working alongside police officers is really like.

Cadets on the nationally accredited program have the chance to take part in a wide range of activities and police training, all while making new friends and challenging themselves to learn and develop new skills for their future careers, whether that’s in the police force or another profession.

More than 2,500 leaflets were delivered across Toxteth, Anfield, Tuebrook, Everton and Clubmoor to promote the ‘Your Safety Matters’ survey, which is live until 1 October 2023.

The survey asks residents to share their thoughts on the impact of violence on communities, their perceptions of the problem, the causes, the consequences and what they want to see happen to prevent themselves and others having a fear of violence.

All community feedback will aid the development of the serious violence duty strategy which will make local services work better together to share information and target interventions to prevent and reduce serious violence.

The development of the strategy is being led by the Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, with the support of the five Community Safety partnerships in Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, and Wirral as well as other organisations. They are made up of Councils, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, NHS, and National Probation Service. Other partners such as youth justice, prisons, education, and voluntary sector services are also involved.  

Community Engagement Officer Nick Banlin, who co-ordinates the Police Cadet program said: “It’s great to work alongside our brilliant Cadets who are willing to give so much of their time to help their communities.

“This survey is an important way to understand people’s perceptions of violence and how we, as a police force, can work with our partners to make people feel safer.

“Thank you to all the Cadets involved and to members of the public for supporting the survey and expressing their views and experiences. The survey is open until Sunday 1 October and can be filled in anonymously at Your Safety Matters (smartsurvey.co.uk).”

Do you know a young person who might benefit from joining the Police Cadets? Applications open on 22 September 2023.

For more information, email [email protected].