INCREDIBLE new Mini Police officers have been recruited from Jigsaw, Cumbria's Children's Hospice.

The five new recruits are the latest to join the scheme which aims to increase trust and confidence within the young people and their communities.

They were presented with their caps from the Lord Lieutenant Claire Hensman, Assistant Chief Constable Justin Bibby and Peter McCall, Cumbria's Police and Crime Commissioner, at a ceremony in the hospice yesterday.

Jigsaw staff, service users, families, senior police officers, The Citizen’s in Policing department of Cumbria Police and Cumbria Police Cadets were all in attendance.

Mr McCall, said: "The whole team are thrilled to be working with Jigsaw and our latest recruits who will I know add real value to the scheme even though they have other real challenges to face.

"It is essential that we provide a range of positive and exciting engagement opportunities for all children and young adults to have with the police and their communities across the county.

"The response to the Mini Police scheme has been tremendously positive and I am delighted that it is so successful.

"The five new officers from Jigsaw Children’s Hospice will be a valuable addition to the other recruits in Cumbria and it is good to see that the number of Mini Police, Cadets and Specials volunteers continue to grow, develop and thrive.

"This is a great way to increase engagement, not just with the children themselves, but also with their parents and carers, which will in turn indirectly allows for greater engagement with the wider community.”

Mini Police is a national scheme with programmes run locally by Cumbria Police PCSO’s and participant schools.

The programme, written and directed by the Citizen’s in Policing team, has been tailor-made for the new recruits and focuses on positive engagement with police officers and the local community.

Mini Police officers receive structured lessons on relevant topics such as road safety and community engagement activities, such as speed watch, community events, beach clean-ups, and improving run down play areas.

Jigsaw Mini Police officers will take part in activities throughout the year which have been created by Jigsaw staff and the Citizen’s in Policing team.

Sergeant Tamara Tatton, Citizen’s in Policing team and Mini Police programme lead, explained that the adapted programme delivers the fundamental elements of Mini Police whilst ensure the needs of the new recruits are met.

She said: “It is a new, unique and exciting development that provides inclusivity for those wishing to access our local programme, I know this will positively impact the programme for others eager to join in the future.”

Jigsaw's chief executive Patricia Livsey said: "It is brilliant to be one of the first children’s hospices in the UK to become Mini Police officers and we are excited to see what projects will be taking place throughout the year.

"The programme will provide our children and young people with a range of new activities to work all whilst receiving the care and support they require at Jigsaw.

"We would like to thank Cumbria Police for tailoring the activities to our children and young people's abilities.”

Cumbria's Mini Police programme was launched in April last year and those involved have "surpassed all expectation" with their commitment and enthusiasm to the scheme.

Assistant Chief Constable, Justin Bibby, said: "It is inspiring to see how the children grow as a team and as individuals whilst taking part in the programme.

"Jigsaw is a fantastic addition to our Mini Police family and I look forward to seeing the difference our new recruits make to their community."