Community Payback Scheme
The local need
Community payback involves offenders carrying out unpaid work as part of a Community Sentence. This project was developed in response to a need for the local community to be aware that offenders are paying the community back for the damage a crime has caused.
Harlow Council works with the Probation Service to identify specific projects within the community including removing graffiti, clearing overgrown areas, clearing snow and decorating public places and buildings.
The vision
The council and the Probation Service identified that working in partnership would visually enhance the local area where the local authority identify a need for improvement in the physical environment.
Large projects have been undertaken, for example painting, clearing and grouting the local paddling pools ready for young people to use during the summer.
The challenge
The main challenge is ensuring the local community are aware that offenders are putting something back into the community to make reparation for a crime they have committed.
It is also important that offenders become aware of local needs and understand the effect that such offences have on the community and the resource required to repair criminal damage such as graffiti.
It is important that the community recognises that Harlow Council and the Probation Service are working together to improve their local area.
The results
> An emergency Snow Plan has been agreed with the Probation Service where priority areas in Harlow are cleared of snow - for example the crematorium and the entrance to a building used by elderly residents.
> Local paddling pools have been painted, cleared of litter and grouted.
> Local sheltered housing communal gardens have been cleared.
> There has been improved partnership working between Harlow Council and the Probation Service.
> The local media has assisted with promoting Community Payback projects.
> Visually enhanced open spaces in Harlow.
Where next?
The council is working in close partnership with the Probation Service to establish a yearly work plan to ensure that during the summer months there are suitable projects for outdoor work but also suitable indoor projects for the winter months.
The council is also working towards asking the community to identify areas or projects that would benefit from the Community Payback Scheme in Harlow.
Contact Details
Marysia Rudgley
Community Safety Team Manager
01279 446115
Marysia.rudgley@harlow.gov.uk