POSITIVE relationships between police and young people in Thornbury were praised at a visit by Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner.

PCC Sue Mountstevens visited the town for a community day on Wednesday, April 9.

As part of her weekly programme she aims to spend at least one day a week out and about in the community that voted her in.

Ms Mountstevens spent the morning in South Gloucestershire before heading to Somerset for a public question and answer session for people who have been affected by flooding.

The first stop was Thornbury Street Space, a youth project which works in the community to build positive relationships with young people.

The organisation – behind events like Thornbury Jam – is benefitting from £2,000 from the PCC’s Community Action Fund, which has also funded Thornbury’s Krunch UK.

These funds will go towards the mentoring scheme aiming to support young people before their behaviour escalates to anti-social levels.

Street Space receives referrals for one-to-one work from schools or agencies but also carries out vital street work, building relationships with people who don’t engage with any other form of youth provision.

Ms Mountstevens said: “I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the project leaders and hearing not only how my action fund is helping the project, but also hearing from young people about how the project is supporting them.

“One of the things that really stood out to me was the praise from the young people for their local police community support officers of the local neighbourhood beat team, who are clearly building an invaluable relationship with the young people and the community.”

Street Space’s Dan Potter said after gratefully accepting the cheque he took Ms Mountstevens for a walk around the areas where the outreach workers head on a Friday night.

He added: “Thanks to the funding, we will be able to match more young people up with mentors.”

In the afternoon the PCC hosted a public drop-in session at the Turnberries community centre where local residents came and discussed local issues and raised policing questions.

If you would like PCC Sue Mountstevens to visit you please email pcc@avonandsomerset.pnn.police.uk or call 01275 816377.

You can find out more about all the projects funded by the Community Action Fund and how to apply by visiting www.avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk