COMMUNITY groups and voluntary organisations across Avon and Somerset are being invited to bid for funding from Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens.

Grants of up to £3,000 are available for groups that provide a positive and lasting impact across the force area.

Ms Mountstevens said: "Since launching the Community Action Fund in 2013, we’ve awarded over half a million pounds that has helped deliver various crime reduction and community safety initiatives that support the Police and Crime Plan priorities.

"This year alone, almost £70,000 has been allocated to support 27 community and voluntary projects.

"Visiting many of the schemes on my regular community days, I have seen first-hand how the funding is making a real different to local people and their neighbourhoods.

"If you’re running a project that is ensuring your community is safe and feels safe, I want to hear from you and would encourage you to apply to my Community Action Fund."

To qualify, projects should demonstrate how they will enable communities to come together and tackle issues in their local area relating to the priorities in the Police and Crime Plan - protecting the most vulnerable, strengthening local policing teams, ensuring the police have the right culture, equipment and culture and working together effectively.

The next deadline for applications is Friday, December 1 - for more information click here.