A POLICE boss is urging community groups in Dwyfor and Meirionnydd to apply for cash seized from criminals.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones, a former police inspector from Harlech, has set up a special fund to help community groups in the county.

A total of £40,000 will be up for grabs – with £2,500 apiece for two groups in each county and each £5,000 each for two groups that operate across north Wales.

The Your Community, Your Choice initiative is being partly funded by the money recovered through the Proceeds of Crime Act, using cash confiscated from offenders with the rest coming from the police commissioner.

Community groups are being urged to apply between 5 September and 30 September.

A shortlist of applicants will be chosen by a special panel and from 31 October to 25 November. Members of the public will decide which groups to support via an online vote.

Mr Jones said: “I think it’s an excellent idea that money coming from the proceeds of crime is being put back into communities to repair the damage that’s been caused by criminal activity.

“It’s an opportunity for people to say what they want, what their priorities are, what they would like to see more of and the community fund is giving them money to do what they think is best for their communities.

“I think that smaller community groups can do a great deal to make communities safer, reduce crime and reduce re-offending.

“It also sends a very good message to the communities because it shows that we are prepared to listen and to let them make their own decisions.”

To make an application visit www.northwales-pcc.gov.uk

For more information call 01745 588516.