Volunteer Police Cadets

Cadet-Led Action Reducing Anti-Social Behaviour in Lancashire Case Study

Lancashire’s ICE POP initiative (“Integrating Communities through Engagement – Problem Oriented Policing”) demonstrates the powerful impact of cadet-led, early-intervention work in tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) among young people in deprived communities. Developed by Blackpool PCSO Nicola Leigh and piloted by Blackpool & Fylde Volunteer Police Cadets, the project shows how young people can play a meaningful role in neighbourhood problem-solving.

ICE POP was created in response to rising ASB incidents and school exclusions among 10–11 year olds in Blackpool. Working closely with local Neighbourhood Policing Teams and community partners, cadets designed and delivered informal, peer-led engagement sessions aimed at hard-to-reach young people who were on the brink of criminality and disengaged from services.

Cadets led two-hour sessions in parks and community spaces, combining sports, games, and creative activities with informal mentoring. Drawing on their own lived experience, cadets were able to connect with young people in ways that police officers and PCSOs had previously struggled to achieve. Sessions were low-cost, flexible, and accessible, using simple equipment such as footballs, dodgeballs, boxing pads, and arts materials.

The impact of the project was significant. During the summer programme, target areas saw a 40% reduction in ASB incidents, alongside a decrease in related callouts such as missing person reports. Neighbourhood teams reported improved relationships with young people and their families, increased community confidence in local policing, and better intelligence sharing. There was also clear anecdotal evidence of improved behaviour and engagement among the young people involved.

The initiative also delivered strong outcomes for the cadets themselves. Participants developed confidence, leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, while gaining a deeper understanding of problem-oriented policing and their local communities. The success of the pilot led to the model being replicated in other deprived areas of Lancashire, demonstrating its scalability and cost-effectiveness.

ICE POP highlights the value of using Volunteer Police Cadets beyond traditional ceremonial or engagement roles. It shows that peer-led approaches can be highly effective, and that small, low-cost pilots—delivered through strong partnerships between police, cadets, and local authorities—can achieve meaningful reductions in ASB while building trust and opportunity within communities.