Teenager from Sudbury scoops High Sheriff of Suffolk award

A teenager from Sudbury has won an award from the High Sheriff for services to the community.

Jez Perry, 17, a senior cadet from Suffolk Constabulary, was presented with the accolade on Thursday by High Sheriff Edward Creasy in the Suffolk Volunteer under-30 category.

He has been a cadet since 2018.

Pc Darren Marshall, community engagement officer for Sudbury, said: “Jez is a very enthusiastic cadet.

He not only attends the weekly meetings, but is very keen to volunteer whenever there is a community event.

“When lockdown hit, he was very disappointed that the cadets were unable to meet face-to-face so he contacted Sudbury Town Council to see if he could assist them with any volunteering work.

“They found him a role and he went out with the town’s wardens and assisted them with projects such as litter picking, removing graffiti, clearing overgrown footpaths and checking that alleyway lights were working.”

Suffolk’s volunteer police cadets help progress current policing initiatives in the local community.

They assist with events including the Suffolk Show, town fairs, carnivals and charity events.

They also support the important work of safer neighbourhood teams and are taught basic knowledge in a variety of policing activities.

Cadets are recruited between the ages of 13 to 16, but can remain a cadet until their 18th birthday.