Offenders undertaking Community Payback have been doing their bit to enable local community groups and residential complexes to remain operational despite the recent wintry weather, by clearing snow and ice from their grounds and car parks.
As part of their Community Payback, offenders were asked to help clear snow from the grounds, car parks and pathways leading to various buildings, including the Ty Darran Care Home in Risca, the Ty Clyd Residential Home in Bargoed, Ystrad Mynach Day Centre, Brithdir Community Centre, and the Oasis Christian Centre in Cefn Fforest.
This meant that access could be maintained to the various buildings, and also helped ensure that members of various community groups could get to their meetings or classes.
Cllr Lyn Ackerman, cabinet member for the environment said, “This is just one excellent example of how Community Payback has been able to benefit members of our community.
Projects such as this are vital if our residents are to see that justice is being done in their communities, and it is pleasing to see that community groups are making use of the Community Payback hours available to us in Caerphilly county borough each year.”
David Bidgood of Gwent Probation Service said, “Offenders who have been found guilty of a criminal offence by the court can be sentenced to between 40 and 300 hours of Community Payback on work tasks that benefit local communities under the direct supervision of Gwent Probation Service.
The order 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 Home Office’s national neighbourhood crime and justice initiative, Justice Seen Justice Done, of which Caerphilly county borough is a pioneer area.
To submit a suggestion for a community project that could benefit from Community Payback, please visit the Safer CCB website or call Gwent Probation Service on 01633 822 007.
