Cuts kill cadet's dream of becoming a PC

A TEENAGER’S future career and lifelong dream of becoming a police officer has been shattered after he was dropped from being a police cadet due to spending cuts — less than a week before he was due to start a college course.

Debbie Birch and her son Rikki

The youngster successfully applied to become a Derbyshire Voluntary Police Cadet and secured one of the 18 places the two-year course offers annually.

Rikki was also due to start a Uniformed Services course at Burton College, in September, to tie in with the cadet course, but has now been left trying to find another course less than a week before the new term.

His mother, Debbie Birch, said Rikki was ‘completely gutted’ by the news.

The mother-of-two said: “It’s what he’s always wanted to do and now he’s been left trying to find another college course and career.

“We had a letter saying Derbyshire Police need to cut back by 25 per cent, but why axe the people of the future? “Kids who want to make something of themselves are being let down.

“They are told to stay off the streets, but why should they bother when there are no opportunities for them to do anything? “The only children who have got on the course are all from Derby, which I don’t think is fair. Where is it all going to end for these youngsters? Are they ever going to be given a chance to get on in life? “They are slated for hanging around on streets, causing trouble and not making efforts to find employment, but is anyone ever going to give them a break and start realising that these young people are Britain’s future.” A spokesman for Derbyshire Police said: “We’re sorry that we’ve had to reduce the number of volunteer cadets we can take on this year.

“Unfortunately, the budget reductions were imposed after the letters of acceptance had been sent to 18 young people who wanted to become cadets.

“We realise that we have disappointed several teenage volunteers, but the force is faced with making budget cuts of £1.6m this year.”