VOLUNTEER Police Cadets (VPCs) in Redbridge celebrated the organisation's 21st anniversary with London’s largest-ever formal parade of young people.

More than 1,400 members, aged between 14 and 21, marched to Horse Guards Parade, for a ceremonial review by VIPs including Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson.

Redbridge has the largest cadet service with 75 members, expanding to 100 by September. Applications from 14-15 year olds are being accepted.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Rod Jarman said: "Young people come to us from a number of different backgrounds. Some join because they like the police and they want to learn more. "Some because they have heard about the things we do from their mates, while others because they have been referred to us because they are vulnerable, to crime either as a victim or offender.

"What they get from us is effectively another family. They get to meet people who care about and believe in them, people who will give them some consistent support through those difficult years of growing up."

For the past 21 years, the MPS has run a small cadet service focused on those young people who want to be cadets.

Now the VPC has grown to as many as 1,400 members, with units in each of London’s 32 boroughs and the goal is to expand to 4,000 by the 2012 Olympics. It will achieve this by engaging with young people, including those who are vulnerable to crime, both as victims and those considered to be on the edge of offending.

Visit redbridgepolicecadets.co.uk for more information.