Residents are being encouraged to suggest community projects that could benefit from receiving Community Payback, as the Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership launches a brand new publicity campaign.
The Partnership, together with colleagues at Gwent Probation Service, has launched the ‘It’s Payback Time!’ campaign, which aims to raise awareness of and encourage participation in Community Payback.
Each year, offenders are committed to carrying out 10,000 hours of Community Payback in Caerphilly county borough and can undertake a wide range of work that will be of benefit to the community.
This can include graffiti removal, litter picking, removal of fly-tipping, recycling projects, building maintenance and improvements to community facilities.
The publicity campaign aims to encourage residents to feel empowered and suggest community projects in their area where they feel Community Payback could make a real difference.
Cllr Lyn Ackerman, cabinet member for the environment said, “We are delighted to be working with our partners at Gwent Probation Service to launch this brand new publicity campaign.
Over the past six months, over 250 projects have been undertaken in Caerphilly county borough as part of Community Payback, with suggestions coming from more than 200 local residents.
We are keen to highlight that these 10,000 hours of Community Payback are your hours, not ours, so if you know of a project that you think could benefit from receiving Community Payback, please get in touch.”
The publicity campaign includes posters, beer mats, bus advertising, and livery on the side of Gwent Probation Service vehicles.
Roadshows will also take place at various locations across Caerphilly county borough over the next few months to provide information on Community Payback, which will also provide an opportunity for residents to submit their suggestions.
David Bidgood of Gwent Probation Service said, “Community Payback is a punishment and requires the offender to undertake work in public places wearing an orange high visibility vest with ‘Community Payback’ embroidered on the back. It is demanding on the offender and requires them to undertake tasks nominated by the public.”
Community Payback is a vital part of the national Justice Seen Justice Done initiative, of which Caerphilly county borough is a pioneer area.
The initiative helps demonstrate to members of the public that community sentences are not soft options and that offenders are facing tough consequences for their actions.
To suggest a community project that could benefit from Community Payback, please contact Gwent Probation Service on 01633 822 007 or visit www.caerphilly.gov.uk/saferccb and register your suggestion online.
