THE Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is inviting bids for funding from organisations with an interest in improving eight key commissioning areas.

These are domestic and sexual abuse, data and technology, children, young people and families, victims and witnesses, antisocial behaviour, restorative justice, substance misuse and reducing reoffending.

Those interested in bidding are invited to attend an event at Winchester Guildhall today at 10am-11.30am.

Here an overview will be given of what the commissioner is hoping to achieve from the bidding process and what he is looking for in the bids that are submitted.

It will also provide an opportunity to get some practical advice on the bidding process.

Bids must be submitted by 4pm on January 31.

Bids submitted after this time will not be accepted for this round of bidding but might be considered for future rounds.

Interested parties can download a copy of the Commissioning Plan at www.hampshirepcc.

gov.uk/Partnership/Commis sioning-and-grants.aspx Awards will be announced by February 14.

Bids should be submitted online at www3.hants.gov.uk/grants/pccgrants.

htm For further information or to register interest in attending either of the commissioning events, contact 01962 871595 or email: opcc@hampshire.pnn.police.uk