GLOUCESTERSHIRE'S Crime Commissioner is on the look out for community projects aimed at reducing crime and anti-social behaviour for which he can lend his support.

In the last two years, Gloucestershire’s PCC Martin Surl has funded more than a hundred local projects, and is now seeking out more.

Many are having an impact on the county as a whole. Some are specific to local areas like the £10,000 grant towards a new youth club in Dursley which opens this Saturday.

Mr Surl believes that policing is not the only way to prevent crime and that we all must play a role in sustaining out communities.

“Community safety is not just about policing. It’s about everyone taking responsibility and playing their part in making their neighbourhood as good as they can be," he said.

"As we approach a new financial year, I am keen to build on some of the success we’ve already achieved like the Aston Project in Cheltenham, which won a national award last year; the Door in Stroud and Gym Nation in Gloucester, which are all helping young people make the difficult transition into adulthood.

“The Pathfinders Charity does valuable work in preparing our would-be young drivers for the roads and schemes like Fair Shares and Keep Safe which continue to grow around the county and support others who are older and more vulnerable.

“I have also been able to support initiatives that will help the fight against gangs, alcohol and drug dependency and the impact all of those issues have on crime”.

Voluntary and community sector organisations can apply for grants to support new and innovative projects that address at least one of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s priorities.

Grants can cover a range of costs such as practical work, feasibility studies, or research projects, group or partnership development, awareness raising, training, equipment and materials, marketing and promotion.

If you have an idea you think is worth funding, please email commissioners.fund@gloucestershire.pnn.police.uk and we’ll send you an application form when the bidding opens on February 9.

The closing date for applications is March 25.