Put the criminals to work

Skip Navigation

Put the criminals to work

Wednesday November 14, 2012

Residents are being asked to nominate community projects that could benefit from some free labour as part of a scheme to make offenders pay for their crimes.

Under the ‘community payback’ scheme, criminals – including vandals, graffiti artists and drink drivers – are compelled to do manual work on worthwhile projects that spruce up the neighbourhood.

Typical work includes clearing undergrowth, repairing and redecorating community spaces and removing graffiti.

Areas to have benefitted from the scheme in the past include Ravenscourt Park, Wormholt Estate, Wormwood Scrubs, Lillie Road Recreation Grounds and St Paul’s Church.

Around 1.3million hours of community payback are completed every year in London – equating to around £10million of free labour per year.

Cllr Greg Smith, Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) Council Deputy Leader, said: “Punishments like this are one way that offenders can be forced to make some attempt at paying residents back for the harm they have caused.

“Cracking down on yob culture and the offenders who know all about their rights but not their responsibilities is central to our zero tolerance approach. Residents can nominate community projects that they would like to see benefit today.”

For a project to be considered for community payback it must meet the following criteria:

  • It must benefit the local community
  • It must not take paid work away from others
  • No one must make a profit from the work
  • It must be challenging and demanding
  • It must be worthwhile and constructive
  • Offenders must be seen to be putting something back into the community.

Community payback is a joint initiative between the probation service, H&F Council and Serco.

If you have a project that offenders could work on please email nominations@london.cp.gsi.gov.uk or call: 020 7740 8222.

» Send us your comments now

paint railings along lakeside road
w14
From timday on 21/11/2012 at 14:33
Picking-up dog pooh in Cathnor Park and wormwood Scrubs would be good.
Helping the local libraries to sort books on shelves into alphabetical order particularly in children's sections.
From Lucy on 18/11/2012 at 18:41
Cooking and cleaning for the elderly should have a CRB check. This takes time and enough people who have not committed a crime have trouble getting these! Volunteer jobs that others want to do should also not be taken away from those who want to do them. Chewing gum removal is a good example as there is plenty of that about and has been around for ever.
From tina on 18/11/2012 at 11:38
I think that a lot of washing of street furniture and removing graffitti would be visible and helpful. Helping voluntary services might give another direction to otherwise criminal energies. Also one might be asked if there is a way in which one (the criminal) can think he/she could contribute to the community.
From Suzanne on 18/11/2012 at 11:20
How about cemetery maintenance
From Adam Aitken on 17/11/2012 at 23:11
I second the chewing gum removal.
From Mags on 17/11/2012 at 13:04
1) Removing chewing gum off the busy streets
2) Deep cleaning of those streets
3) Council dustbin deep-cleaning
4) Cleaning of local authority transportation
5) Deep cleaning of bus and train interiors
6) Other works which local authority or TfL cannot afford in addition to current services.
From Arkay on 16/11/2012 at 21:49
Picking up litter and dog mess off residential roads and pavements on Saturday and Sunday mornings. These mornings are particularly bad after weekend drinking.
From Percy on 16/11/2012 at 21:36
In autumn leaves get pushed to the side of the road making it slippy and dangerous for infirm pedestrians, cyclists and motor cyclists. In the more tree lined throughfares why not arrange "extra sweeps" in cycle lanes and junctions where pedestrians cross in September October Novemeber and help make our tree lined road safer. We tax payers have already paid for the tools so why not put them to extra use !
From AJM on 16/11/2012 at 17:42
what about cooking and cleaning for the elderly?
From micetta2012@gmail.com on 16/11/2012 at 17:24
In Bishops Park the hand railing along the river is in dire need of painting. Also parks outside fence is in need of paint too.
From jje on 16/11/2012 at 17:16
How about chewing gum removal?
From Peter on 16/11/2012 at 16:25

Comments

Your comments

Name:*
Display name:*
E-mail:*
Comment:*
 
characters
 
Enter the code shown above:*

                      I accept the terms and conditions of posting to this site*
 

* denotes mandatory field