A fund has been launched by Northumbria Police's police and crime commissioner to help tackle knife crime and serious violence.

Commissioner Susan Dungworth has launched a £16,000 Local Youth Fund, inviting young people to propose innovative ideas that prevent serious violence and knife crime.

The funds will be used for youth-led initiatives, focusing on cultivating the creativity and insights of young individuals to create safe neighbourhoods and robust communities.

The Violence Reduction Unit's Local Youth Fund will provide an opportunity for young people to voice their ideas, experiences, and suggest bold solutions for reducing violence.

With this initiative, the young people not only get to be heard but have the chance to implement their ideas and shape their communities.

Previous rounds of this fund have shown substantial progress, supporting 78 diverse projects, ranging from sports activities, youth-led campaigns to drop-in sessions.

These projects have directly benefitted more than 5,200 young individuals and demonstrated the creativity and dedication of youths in the region.

Ms Dungworth said: "I am committed to making our streets safer and communities stronger – but to achieve this, it is essential that our young people are involved in key decisions made about their local areas."

She aims to address violence head-on, empowering young individuals to take an active role while shaping their areas' future.

Ms Dungworth added: "So, if you have a creative idea to share, now is your chance to apply for funding, with the possibility of seeing your project come to life.

"I am looking forward to hearing your ideas, and to seeing them in action soon."

Youngsters are being encouraged to apply for the funding, supported by community and youth-based organisations, by submitting project proposals aimed at preventing serious violence and knife crime in their areas.

When the fund closes on August 13, a panel of young people will review the bids and select one successful project from each local authority area to receive a share of the funding.

For more in-depth information about the Local Youth Fund and how to apply, individuals can visit the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit website.