Volunteers celebrated for their selfless dedication to keeping Cambridgeshire’s communities safe

Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston today paid tribute to the passionate and committed volunteers supporting his work to protect lives and reduce harm across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s communities.  

 

As the nation observes Volunteers Week (June 1-7), the Commissioner issued a message of heartfelt thanks to all those police and community safety volunteers who give up their time to make a difference.  

 

Volunteers Week is an annual celebration that shines a spotlight on the extraordinary impact of volunteers across the UK, recognising their commitment and honouring the role they play in improving lives. It also serves as a platform to inspire new people to consider volunteering for the first time.  

 

Volunteers support the Commissioner and Cambridgeshire Constabulary in a variety of ways - from serving as Special Constables and Independent Custody Visitors through to working as Animal Welfare Visitors, supporting victims and witnesses of crime through the Victim and Witness Hub and participating in Community Speed Watch activities – all of which help to build trust and confidence in local policing. 

 

One of those volunteers is 17-year-old Aerin Dempster who is one of the youngest members of the Commissioner’s Community Scrutiny Panel.  

 

The Panel independently scrutinises the force’s use of force and Stop and Search powers, objectively reviewing incidents through Body Worn Video footage or records to ensure officers exercise their duties proportionately and ethically and in accordance with UK legislation. 

 

Aerin said volunteering had been a rewarding experience which had enabled her to make a positive difference and ensure policing remains safe, fair and transparent.  

 

“I appreciate some of the other panel members have more life experience, but as a young person, I can bring a fresh perspective and represent the younger voice,” she said.  

 

“In the future, I’d like to become an adult mental health nurse and so I find it interesting to see how officers engage with people living with mental health illness and the care and compassion in their approach to ensure those people feel safe and supported during stop and search procedures. 

 

“Officers have a vast source of knowledge and training to draw from in their interactions to adapt to everyone’s needs. Scrutiny enables the community to feed back to the Constabulary how this is being received and ensure best practice is followed.  

 

“Scrutiny panels look at the grounds, the necessity and the way that people are treated when interacting with the police. By being a panel member, I can positively impact stop and search procedures to ensure policing remains safe and fair for everyone.” 

 

In marking Volunteers Week 2026, Darryl said: “Volunteering is the glue that holds communities together and the very essence of strong and resilient neighbourhoods. There are no words to describe the immense impact their work has on policing and community safety and the strength it gives neighbourhoods to better withstand challenges. Volunteers’ Week is the perfect moment to show our gratitude for all they do.  

 

“As a former serving officer, I have can say with experience that volunteering transforms communities and has far-reaching effects on health and wellbeing. I hope many more people are inspired to get involved in the multitude of ways they can give back to their communities and make a difference.” 

 

For more information on volunteering for the Police and Crime Commissioner, visit: Volunteer or for the Constabulary: Volunteer with us | Cambridgeshire Constabulary