A PIONEERING community and youth project in Blaenau Gwent is being praised by a top police officer for helping reduce the local youth crime rate by almost half.

The Winchestown Family Centre, which is run by children's charity NCH Cymru, provides a range of support for children, young people and families living in the Winchestown and Nantyglo areas.

Now, in recognition of the work carried out by the team of youth and project workers, Chief Superintendent Howard Rees, the commander of Gwent Police's C Division, is to visit the project this afternoon and talk to the team about the reduced youth crime rate in Winchestown and Nantyglo.

"The latest crime rate figures are very encouraging and I congratulate everyone who is working so effectively within the communities of Winchestown and Nantyglo," he said.

Since the project was set up in 2002, it has attempted to bring the community together by providing a focal point for youth activities, health and fitness sessions, information on healthy eating and advice on lifestyle choices and educational opportunities.

And relations between the Winchestown community and local police are described as "much improved" and "based on regular communication".

The latest figures show that crime rates in Winchestown have declined by 48% - in an area that is free of dispersal orders, curfews or anti-social behaviour orders.

"These crime reduction figures are good news for Winchestown and good news for the future of the project," said Janet Taylor, project manager at the centre.

"Everyone involved in the financing and running of the community work we do here is naturally delighted.

"It is the people who want to better their community and they are actively contributing to its future."