Cadet foils street robbers

A QUICK thinking Army cadet foiled street robbers when they tried to snatch his Army Benevolent Fund collection box by hitting one over the head with it.

Cadets from the Macclesfield Detachment, Cheshire Army Cadet Force (CACF) were out in force in Macclesfield town centre on Friday and Saturday, collecting for the soldiers' charity which gives financial support and practical advice to needy soldiers, former soldiers and their families.

On Friday afternoon at about 4pm, a group of seven youths surrounded one of the youngest cadets and one tried to grab his collection box. The cadet used the box as a weapon, hitting his attacker on the head, and when a second member of the group tried to grab him from behind, he stamped on the youth's foot with his army boot and was rapidly released. The 13-year-old cadet then took to his heels and located his adult instructor.

Attempts to identify the perpetrators were unsuccessful, as they had run away.

A spokesman for the Cheshire Army Cadet Force said: "We always instruct our cadets not to resist in such circumstances, but one cannot plan for what a motivated cadet with a mission will do."

Lt Col Peter Binder, chairman of the East Cheshire Appeal of the Army Benevolent Fund, said: "It is deplorable that such an incident should happen to a young man doing his best to show community spirit at a time when our troops are fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. The perpetrators showed no respect for the uniform the cadet was wearing.

"My committee heartily congratulated the cadet for his action and praised the commitment the cadet detachment showed in helping to collect, together with other organisations, some £1,200 over the two days.

"I would also like to thank the citizens of Macclesfield for their support."