Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Wiltshire and Swindon Angus Macpherson has visited Caenhill Countryside Centre, near Devizes, to find out about its work with the community.

It follows the centre receiving a £3,000 grant from the PCC’s Fund earlier this year.

The PCC Fund is administered by the Community Foundation for Wiltshire and Swindon. The money is raised through the sale of unclaimed lost property, with grants awarded to projects helping to address crime and anti-social behaviour and improve personal and community security.

The Caenhill Countryside Centre is working with communities to bring agricultural and horticultural skills to a wide range of people by providing learning and training opportunities on the 70 acre farm. Work, with the help of volunteers, is on-going towards getting the site ready for an official opening next year.

Mr Macpherson said: “This was a very interesting visit and one I have been looking forward to. It was good to see work taking place and find out more about plans for the centre.

“I was particularly interested to talk with Helie Franklin at the centre about plans to work with SWITCH, a probation and police team, to give hands-on practical learning opportunities for offenders. It is a great way to provide focus and develop skills of repeat offenders, and, hopefully, along with other support will help to break cycles of offending.”

There are about 60 volunteers who are signed to assist at the centre. More are always wanted to help with a range of tasks.

Helie Franklin from the centre said: “We are keen to share farming and the countryside so that people can learn and enjoy their experience.”

For more information about the centre visit www.caenhillcc.org.uk