BUDDING young officers will be welcomed into the police family tonight as a ceremony is staged for Hampshire’s first Volunteer Police Cadets.

Hampshire Constabulary will officially welcome its first 74 Volunteer Police Cadets at an attestation ceremony being held at Netley, attended by the Chief Constable and Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner.

The event is designed to recognise the cadets for passing through the ten-week induction programme which has seen them learning teamwork and leadership skills, meeting various departments within the police and gaining a recognised first aid qualification.

The scheme has been piloted in Southampton and, due to its success, is now being rolled out across the force.