Pendle Council supports Community Payback scheme

Community Payback is a punishment overseen by Lancashire Probation Trust which involves offenders doing unpaid work to make amends for the crimes they've committed.

And every year, Pendle residents benefit from thousands of hours of community payback work carried out by offenders sentenced by the courts.

Since Pendle Council joined forces with Lancashire Probation Trust in January, offenders have been working with the Neighbourhood Pride teams to clean up grot spots in Brierfield, Nelson and Colne.

It's hoped that the scheme will be rolled out to our Parks and Recreation sites too. Work could include painting fences, railings and play equipment, as well as litter picking.

David Walker, Waste Services Manager for Pendle Council who is overseeing the scheme, said: "It's very much in its early days but it's proving to be an excellent initiative.

"The payback scheme is rigorously supervised and it's a valuable way of making good use of offenders' sentences."

Councillor James Starkie who represents Waste and Environmental Health in Pendle, added: "It's great to see this type of scheme in action.

"Community Payback is an innovative way of making offenders pay back for the crimes they've committed.

"And the benefits are real. Residents will see a real improvement in their environment."

Community Payback Practice Manager Lorraine Slater said: "All the projects completed by offenders combine hard work and the chance for offenders to develop important life skills.

"They help to reduce the risk of re-offending, making our communities safer.

"Offenders must wear orange high-visibility jackets, marked Community Payback, so that the public can see what offenders are doing to pay back."

In the last year (since 1 April 2011), offenders in Pendle have completed more than 10,000 hours of community payback, and during financial year 10/11, almost 15,000 hours were completed in Pendle alone which is the equivalent of £91,200 if paid at minimum wage (£6.08).

Anyone can suggest work projects for offenders to do. Simply apply online at www.lancashireprobation.co.uk and follow the link from the homepage.

All work schemes must be for public, charity or non-profit community benefit.