Three police cadets got a taste of life on the front line when they took over operational duties as part of the children's commissioner takeover day.

Cadets shadowed senior managers for the day.

Abigail Gambel, 18, a former head cadet at the Stanley Park School group, and now a cadet instructor, joined Assistant Commissioner Martin Hewitt.

They started the day with a fitness test before Abigail went on to see how the Met prepares and delivers a press statement.

She said: “It was the most amazing opportunity and I've learnt so much.

“It gave me a real appreciation for exactly how huge the Met is and how much work goes on.

“I feel incredibly lucky to have had such a unique opportunity and it has really inspired me.”

Natasha Marsh, 17, deputy head of cadets at Stanley Park School accompanied Sutton’s borough commander Ch Supt David Snelling to the police control room in Lambeth where she met Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe and Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey.

And Charlotte Barthrope, also 17, head cadet at Overton Grange, teamed up with Ch Insp Julian Hagley, who runs the 999 response teams in Sutton, and led the daily team meeting.

Chief Supt Snelling said: “It's fantastic to have the cadets come in and see what we do. It's also a great opportunity for us to showcase the great work we do in Sutton.”