THE POLICE and Crime commissioner for Avon and Somerset Constabulary has visited Krunch Youth Club in Thornbury to discuss the club's work.

PCC Sue Mountstevens visited the club, based at Turnberries in Thornbury, where she talked about the work of the club and its links with the community on Wednesday, August 20.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary provide some funding to Krunch South West through the Proceeds of Crime Act who run the youth club held on two evenings a week.

As part of Ms Mountstevens’ role she aims to spend at least one day a week visiting community programmes supported Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

Krunch have seen 280 young people use the club since it was founded just over a year ago and usually have between 20 and 30 children attend their bi-weekly sessions.

The club also run a mentoring programme where they work closely with children on the brink of exclusion who have been referred by their school. Krunch then works with them to resolve any issues and help teaches them skills through a range of activities they run.

Registered members come from as far away as Dursley and Stoke Gifford to the Thornbury-based youth club.

Ms Mountstevens said that the work of youth clubs is vital in preventing crime: “I’m really impressed with the work Krunch does, particularly their early intervention work in schools.

“The key thing about Krunch is that they provide a place where young people can come and be safe.

“The relationships they build with children gives them the freedom they need and that is the key to unlocking their potential.

“I notice a big difference when clubs like this close down. I think the work they do is vital in giving young people something to do.

“When there aren’t opportunities like this around children will get bored and they will then do things which many of us recognise as anti-social behaviour.”

Penny Baker, Krunch South West project manager, said: “Without funding from Avon and Somerset police we couldn’t pilot our personal development schemes which have proved so successful.

“When people like Sue come to visit us it rubber stamps the work we do for the community as a whole.

“Many people in Thornbury don’t even know that we’re here, we like to work with other people in the community so that they can get a better understanding of the work we do.”