Caithness to benefit from £32k fund in pilot Police Scotland project
'Your Police, You Decide' is accepting applications until October 24th.
Far north residents are being urged to have their say on how a Police fund should be spent in their area.
With Caithness understood to be the first area to benefit from "Your Police, You Decide," groups are invited to apply for up to £3,000 from the £32,000 pot, which has been funded by the Scottish Government.
Caithness Voluntary Group have been involved in the project, which is accepting applications until October 24th.
Police Scotland say two main priorities must be met when sending in an application. These include;
Safety and wellbeing - including mental health: Making sure that everyone in Caithness has the chance to lead safe, healthy, active lives.
Poverty and inequality - including tackling cost of living, fuel poverty and transport: Reduce the harms caused by poverty and inequality, and improve dignity for anyone experiencing poverty.
If the project is a success, it's hoped it can be rolled out to other areas across Scotland.
Hopes project could be rolled out across Scotland
Inspector Stephen Mezals explained why he feels it could be hugely beneficial.
He said: "Many people in the Caithness community are struggling for a variety of reasons and we're looking for these projects to be set up using funding from us to improve the quality of people's lives.
"We'll be hoping it is a success, we want these projects to lift off.
"Hopefully this funding can help them.
"If we do see the contribution we're hoping for in the community, then I'd like to think that it'll be rolled out to other areas experiencing similar issues across Scotland. "
"This is a great way to show that there's a lot of issues out there and the police recognise that there is a place for the community to help with these issues."
Senior development officer at Caithness Voluntary Group, Allan Tait added that he's looking forward to working with groups to make a difference.
He said: "It has been a very difficult few years for everyone so we are really excited to be working with the Scottish Government and Police Scotland to bring this fund to Caithness and look forward to working with the local community to see some projects getting developed that will make a difference."