Police Cadets the Metropolitan Police recruited in the year 2018/2019

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.026560

I note you seek access to the following information:

I would like to know how many Police Cadets the Metropolitan Police recruited in the year 2018/2019?

Please can you also tell me if the Metropolitan Police use the police cadet program to divert youths at risk of criminality away from crime or target youths from disadvantaged backgrounds.

If so how many of those recruited 2018/19 fit this category?

And lastly how many of those went on to offend or reoffend after being part of the cadet program

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

- I would like to know how many Police Cadets the Metropolitan Police recruited in the year 2018/2019?

We are unable to provide this data as during the 2018/2019 year we transitioned to a new IT system. As a result, we are unable to distinguish between those recruited during that period and those that were recruited before that period.

- Please can you also tell me if the Metropolitan Police use the police cadet program to divert youths at risk of criminality away from crime or target youths from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Metropolitan Police Volunteer Police Cadets (VPC) is open to young people aged 10 to 18 years (Seniors 13 - 18, Juniors 10 - 13). Cadets are drawn from all parts of society including referrals from units such as Safer Schools Officers, Child Protection and Youth Offending Teams. There are around 3700 Volunteer Cadets in the MPS. In May 2022, there were 49% female or other & 44% that identify from a Black, Asian and multiple ethnic heritage.
The purpose of our Volunteer Police Cadets Unit is to:
· Develop young people, so that they may become good citizens.
· Work towards the MPS & MOPAC youth strategy on youth diversion from crime.
· Help with non-confrontational policing.
· Promote crime prevention.
· Assist with community and charitable events.

- If so how many of those recruited 2018/19 fit this category?
- And lastly how many of those went on to offend or reoffend after being part of the cadet program

This data is not recorded. Data protection and vetting restrictions prohibit checks for information gathering in this way.