POLICE cadets got to experience what it is like to be homeless and have to live rough when they took part in a charity sleep out.

The cadets aged 13 to 17 from units in Chippenham, Trowbridge, Swindon and Salisbury slept out in the grounds of Devizes Police Headquarters and raised more than £2,800. Money will go to Threshold Housing link, Breakthrough and Alabaré Christian Care & Support.

The 26 teenagers slept out on one of the coldest nights of the year but were kept going with hot chocolate.

Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson, who is an advocate for those who are homeless, and helps to run the Swindon soup kitchen, the Filling Station, joined the group for the challenge.

Mr Macpherson said: “I have a strong personal commitment to those who sleep rough, so I was happy to join the cadets and support the sleep out to raise awareness of homelessness.

“The event gives our police cadets a taste of what it is like to sleep out on a damp and cold night in winter.

“The message I would like them to take away is that they were able to go home and get dry and warm. They would not have to get back into a wet sleeping bag for another night of sleeping rough.

“It is also important to understand that people are not homeless through choice. They will often find themselves on the street for a complex range of reasons such as family breakdown, debt, alcohol or drug abuse, redundancy or mental health problems.

“The younger rough sleepers are no different, in essence, to the cadets. Two or three years ago they were at school just like the cadets.

“Then there are those who are 30 something. The longer people are out of a home, the harder it is to get a roof over their heads again.

“You need to intervene and break the cycle, but that is easier said than done.”

Wiltshire Police Youth Engagement lead, Sergeant Steve McGlynn, said: “I am very proud of the cadets for completing this challenge.

“It was important for us to do something for others and taking part in the sleep out has improved our cadet’s awareness and knowledge about homelessness.

“This experience will teach the cadets to consider the wider context and not judge people because of the situation they find themselves in, a valuable skill to have both as a young person and an adult.

“Thank you to all the cadets who took part, and the parents, friends, and adults who supported them through the challenge.”