A 15-YEAR-OLD boy is on a mission to boost the perception of the police force among his peers.

Nathan Gaskill, from Crook, has been elected young police, crime and victims’ commissioner for County Durham and Darlington after receiving the most votes from fellow Police Cadets.

The teenager, who attends Parkside Academy in Willington, will shadow police crime and victims’ commissioner Ron Hogg for the day on November 15.

His aim is to develop a positive perception of the police among young people, and to raise awareness of the harm that can be caused by drugs and alcohol.

Nathan, who is deputy head boy at Parkside Academy and chairs the school’s Community Relations Panel, said: "I am very pleased and look forward to working with Ron and with young people. I will take the opportunity to put them first."

Mr Hogg said: "Many congratulations to Nathan on his success. I look forward to working with him and helping to make a difference for young people in County Durham and Darlington”.

One of Nathan’s first tasks will be to chair a group of cadets who will assess project proposals on how to allocate £10,000 to improve community safety.