Groups and individuals are invited to bid for grants from a £125,000 community safety fund after it was opened for applications last week.

This is the third round of grants since the fund was launched in 2013 by Hertfordshire police and crime commissioner David Lloyd.

The commissioner’s Community Fund is open for bids from individuals, communities and businesses in Hertfordshire which focus on the needs of the public, particularly in the areas of support to victims of crime, offenders making amends and paying back for the cost of their crimes, and for projects which can apply business sense to community safety.

Bids should relate to projects and initiatives within this financial year – April 2014 to March 2015.

Commissioner Lloyd said: “I was delighted with the response the fund generated during the first and second rounds of bidding. The interest showed that people across the county really want to get involved to help make our communities safer.

“Once again, we would like to hear about projects and schemes that support Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Plan. This could range from those who are seeking small-scale purchases or offering services that will improve communities, to big ideas needing match-funding.”

Among the 33 schemes that have been successful in obtaining funding so far are an outreach service at the Citizens’ Advice Bureau to prevent offenders in Stevenage and North Herts returning to crime due to debt, and a countywide service supporting the victims of sexual and domestic abuse.

To submit an application, visit http://hertscommissioner.org/my_plan/community_fund.aspx

The deadline for applications is May 18.

For more information about the fund, visit www.hertscommissioner.org

If you are unable to submit your bid online, call the commissioner’s office on 01707 806100 or write to The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, 15 Vaughan Road, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 4GZ.