By Tony Lloyd, police and crime commissioner

Young people can be an easy target for society to demonise.

Hanging around on street corners, playing music loudly on the bus, getting up to mischief, generally having no consideration for other people or their communities – it is a tempting stereotype and a widely held perception.

And there lies the issue – perception is often far from reality.

What strikes me when I meet young people is their positive attitude, their energy and desire to get on in life and their innovative ideas to make things better.

The decisions we make now will have an impact on them in the future, so it is common sense that the young have a say on solving society’s problems.

Of course there are a handful of young people who stray down the wrong path and get into trouble.

But the majority of youngsters are more likely to become a victim of crime than commit crime.

Even for those youngsters who are at risk of making the wrong choices, what young people need is a helping hand.

Criminalising them is often the wrong option. Empowering them to make the right choices is the right option.

That’s why I’ve launched a £600,000 pot of money to do just that.

My Youth Aspiration Fund will give a much-needed boost to the good work already happening across Bolton with young people at risk of offending, and build their confidence and life skills still further.

We have to provide young people with the tools to take control of their own life.

That is what this fund aims to deliver, providing real options for youngsters so that they can make the right decisions, and I hope communities across Bolton will welcome this initiative.

There is a range of funding available for projects aimed at keeping youngsters on the right track, giving them support and guidance, from small grants to investment in bigger projects.

If you are part of a youth group or organisation and share my drive to give young people the best start in life then I invite you to bid for a slice of this money.

For more information on the fund and how to apply for a grant visit my website gmpcc.org.uk/aspiration.