A police officer has been commended for transforming a group of volunteer cadets.

PC Jennifer McDonagh was commended by the Metropolitan Police in Barnet after she took over a dwindling volunteer cadet troupe in 2015 and turned it into a competition-winning group of thriving young people.

Chief Inspector Oonagh Vyse, who commended the officer to the Borough Commander Simon Rose, said there is a direct correlation between PC McDonagh's hard work and the increased success, confidence and morale of the cadets.

PS Farthing, PC McDonagh's line manager, said: "I have had numerous emails from members of the public thanking the VPC for their help and applauding their professionalism. I can personally testify to the fact that the cadets are more engaged and more of a team than I have ever seen in the time I have managed the unit.

"This is completely thanks to Jenni’s hard work since taking on the role. She has gone above and beyond what is expected of her: working rest days, holidays, and evenings after her children have gone to bed, to ensure that our young people are supported and given fantastic opportunities.

"She has enabled them to thrive and develop into valued members of both our community and the MPS."

PC McDonagh has overcome a number of challenges in her role, including staff shortages, having to move to a new premises last minute due to plumbing issues, and uniform shortages.

But since the cadets have been under the leadership of PC McDonagh, the team have been able to reach 13th place out of 32 teams at the VPC Annual Competition, having come at the bottom of the table in previous contests.

PC McDonagh was commended along with other officers at Barnet Police's commendation ceremony, which may be the last ceremony as one borough before the tri-borough command units are put in place later this year.

Det Chief Supt Simon Rose said: "It was very fitting that the final Borough Commander commendation ceremony before the mergers had not only a great venue, but also a huge variety of work recognised, including several members of the public and some great acts of courage, lifesaving and making a difference to victims' lives."