I WOULD like to thank everyone in Bucks who volunteered during the fourth month ofthe Year of the Volunteer 2005.

April was Justice Month and across the country over 80 projects attracted new volunteers and celebrated the contribution made by more than 90,000 dedicated volunteers in the crime reduction and criminal justice sector.

Volunteering in this sector is a serious but rewarding undertaking and this was brought home again and again by the personal stories recounted by volunteers.

We heard from mentors working with young people to help them keep on the straight and narrow; from people who support victims; and from magistrates and other volunteers working in the heart of the justice system.

Events included a celebration of 21 years of CSV offering volunteering opportunities to serving prisoners, and a Groundwork challenge to clean up a crime-ridden nature reserve.

Justice Month demonstrated that all kinds of people are willing to get involved in projects to help prevent crime and deal with the effects of crime.

This involvement brings immense personal benefit to the individuals who volunteer and to the victims and offenders.

Melior Whitear, Nacro (crime reduction charity), via email