A group which promotes mountain biking among young people has received a five-figure funding boost from cash seized from criminals.
Van Road Trails aims to divert young people away from anti-social behaviour and potential criminal activity by offering coaching sessions and opportunities to learn how to ride BMX and mountain bikes on its dirt trails situated on Van Road in Caerphilly.
The group has received £10,000 from the Gwent Police Partnership Fund, a scheme for community projects to benefit from money seized from crime groups.
The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Jeff Cuthbert, has awarded almost £300,000 to 82 projects across the Gwent area in the latest round of applications.
Each group was able to apply for between £250 and £10,000.
James Davies, Committee Member for the Management of the Van Road Trails, said: “This funding is fantastic news for us. Here we have a place where children and young people of all ages can come and do something positive as well as physically and mentally stimulating.
“Every minute spent riding at the trails is a minute where there is no need to hang out on street corners or go looking for trouble.”
Mr Cuthbert added: “The Partnership Fund is a fantastic way of putting money we have seized from criminals back into the public purse so it can be used for positive community action.”
Other Caerphilly County Borough projects to receive funding include: Bargoed YMCA (£7,200), Menter Iaith Sir Caerffili (£9,950), Phillipstown Residents and Community Association (£2,310), and Cwm Gwyddon Explorer Scouts (£3,000).