28 October 2009, 09/252
Offenders on route to clean-up bus station
A group of offenders are today sprucing up Ormskirk bus station
to make the area cleaner and safer as part of their ‘Community
Payback’.
The bus station is one of the main gateways into the town centre
for visitors and has been identified as an area that could be
improved in order to provide a good first impression of the
town.
Residents have raised concerns to West Lancashire Community
Safety Partnership regarding binge drinkers leaving cans strewn
around which can attract anti social behavior. The rear of the bus
station has also become overgrown, which is making some residents
feeling unsafe at night because they fear that criminals can hide
in the bushes.
So in order to restore community confidence and enhance this
important public transport route, West Lancashire Community Safety
Partnership has been working with Lancashire Probation Trust to
come up with a solution.
As a result, offenders who are on a community sentence have been
drafted in to give their free labour as punishment for the crimes
they have committed through the Community Payback scheme. From
today (28 October) they will be spending a few days refurbishing
the station area, cutting back all the overgrowth that is causing
concern, painting the shelters and carrying out other essential
repairs.
It is work that could not have otherwise been carried out by the
Borough Council due to resource issues.
Councillor Paul Greenall, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety,
said:"Community Payback is a punishment handed out by the courts
that involves offenders undertaking restorative projects for the
benefit of the community. This is a good idea as it is only right
that offenders give something back to the community for the crimes
that they have committed. I’m pleased that we have been able to
come up with this project to enhance Ormskirk bus station because
it will not only visually improve the area but it will also
increase community confidence and will reassure people that we do
take their fears seriously."
Bill Taylor, Chairman of West Lancashire Community Safety
Partnership, added: "By working with our partners at Lancashire
Probation Trust, we are ensuring that justice is being seen to be
done - the fact that offenders have to wear highly visible jackets
when carrying out Community Payback is an important step in helping
to make our local residents aware that offenders are facing tough
consequences for their actions and that Community Payback isn't a
soft option."
One of the aims of Community Payback is that community members
have an opportunity to decide on the projects that would benefit
from a hard-working, supervised, unpaid labour force. Projects can
range from litter or graffiti removal, redecorating community
centres, environmental works or repairs.
To be considered projects 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
Anyone can nominate a project, so, if you are an individual,
member of a club, community group, faith group or voluntary
organisation and have a project that fits the criteria above,
please fill out the nomination form at www.lancashireprobation.co.uk
(external link) or contact the Probation Office, High Street,
Skelmersdale WN8 8AP on telephone number 01695 720248.
Related information