FOUR Chard teenage girls have become police cadets as part of a countywide scheme.

Becky Thomson, Charlotte Tilley, Holly Best and Emily Croom all signed up to the training process and will now join 22 other volunteer police cadets in Taunton.

Successful cadets had to complete an application form and will now undergo an induction pro-cess to make them aware of the policing environment and basic elements of policing.

They will then parade each Thursday during school term time at Taunton Police Station.

Inspector Tim Powell-Gill said: “We try and give cadets a broad understanding of the complex nature of the policing world, be that understanding the law and its application, how to communicate with people and instil teamwork and self-discipline.

“We also make sure everyone enjoys their time as a cadet and we do a number of outside activities, such as paintballing and leadership weekends.

Cadets do actually perform patrols to support local and national initiatives.”

The cadets are run entirely by volunteers, are self-funding, and this scheme is one of eight units in Avon and Somerset, which started in 2012.

PCSO Caoimhe Hickey and Chard town councillor Cathie Morrison have been involved in the project in Chard.

Cllr Morrison said: “This is a first time for Chard so we look forward to working with them once they are out and about and look forward to seeing them encourage more young people to become police cadets in future years.”

Charlotte, 14, of Holyrood Academy, explained why she signed up, saying: “I knew I’d have a fantastic time representing and working for the community, and I have the chance to be involved in some interesting activities I wouldn't have a chance to do elsewhere.”

For more information about joining the police cadets, email a d e l l e. f i e d e rle@avonand somerset.pnn.police.uk as there will be further cadet recruitment in 2015.