Greater Manchester Probation Trust

Community Payback in Bolton

Scheme to clean up Boltons Grotspots

A PUBLIC voting scheme is being launched in Bolton to determine which of the town’s grotspots are to be cleaned up.
 
People will be able to vote for one of five areas they would like to see offenders work on as part of Bolton’s Community Payback scheme.
The scheme was launched last year when more than 800 people voted for the Churchgate subway to be cleaned up.
Bolton Council, together with Bolton probation service, has now drawn up a new shortlist of five grotspots, following feedback from local residents.
People can choose from the site of the Old Bridge pub in Blackburn Road; the back of Bradford Street, Farnworth; the old railway cutting off Deane Church Lane; the back field off Knutshaw Crescent, Hunger Hill; and Fred’s Triangle, opposite the Fred Dibnah Heritage Centre in Radcliffe Road, The Haulgh.
 
Offenders are required to wear high-visibility jackets and will be carrying out labour-intensive work on whichever scheme is chosen.
The work could include hacking through dense undergrowth, clearing rubbish or cleaning up graffiti.
Cllr Sufrana Bashir- Ismail, Bolton Council's Executive Member for Cleaner, Greener, Safer, said: “I would urge residents to vote as this is a real opportunity for the public to have their say on a scheme which can benefit the community.
“Community Payback makes sure offenders pay for what they have done and residents see that they are paying back for their crimes.
“The town centre subway that won last year has been completely transformed and this just shows what a positive impact this scheme can have in a local area.”
Last year, voters chose the Churchgate subway in Bolton town centre as the area to be given a makeover by offenders.
 
Harvey Scowcroft, chairman of The Haulgh North Residents’ Action Group, said: “We were very pleased with the result. It really brightened up the area as the subway is used by many people as an important route to the town centre.”
Probation service bosses have welcomed the scheme, saying it is vital people see offenders carrying out their punishments.
 
Bob Cadwallader, community operations manager, said: “I am delighted the people of Bolton will be able to take part in deciding which projects are completed by offenders because it is vital that justice is seen to be done and that offenders pay back to society by tackling work that is relevant to the communities.
 
“Community Payback is a punishment, rigorously supervised and enforced by probation. It is also a way for offenders to make up to the community and victims for the harm they have done.”
The latest Community Payback figures for Bolton have revealed that 79 per cent of offenders complete the scheme, nine per cent higher than the national average.
Offenders Shift Rubbish from Conservation Area

Offenders are clearing tonnes of rubbish from a conservation area in Hunger Hill, Bolton.

The project, at a place known as ‘Our Back Garden’, was chosen by the public in a voting scheme run by Bolton Council together with the town’s probation service last year.
As part of the scheme five projects were voted on by the public. The winning project was cleared last year, and now offenders have begun work on the four remaining sites.
 
Work in ‘Our Back Garden’, Hunger Hill, off Knutshaw Crescent, started on March 1st and so far offenders – rigorously supervised by Bolton probation – have cleared overgrowth, litter picked and dredged a pond. More than a hundred bags of rubbish have been shifted.
David Bowyer, Community Payback Supervisor, said: "Community Payback is a punishment for breaking the law and a way for offenders to make up to the community for the harm they have done.
 
"The beauty of these five projects is that the community suggested them in the first instance and so we know it’s benefiting local people."
An offender, aged 25, carrying out unpaid work said: "I’ve nearly finished my order, it’s been hard and I’ve lost my free time but I’ve turned up and done the job.
"This project has been satisfying because people are telling us what a good thing we are doing and that we’ve improved the scenery. There’s a bin here, I don’t see why all this litter was dropped in the first place."
 
Projects to be completed as part of the voting scheme also include: the Old Bridge pub in Blackburn Road; the back of Bradford Street, Farnworth; the old railway cutting off Deane Church Lane; and Fred’s Triangle, opposite the Fred Dibnah Heritage Centre in Radcliffe Road, The Haulgh.

Councillor Sufrana Bashir-Ismail, Bolton Council’s Executive Member for Cleaner, Greener, Safer, said: "It’s great to see
work underway on this project.
the whole area."
 
 
Offenders Offer “Lifeline” to Elderly in Bolton
 
OFFENDERS carrying out Community Payback have been clearing snow and ice from around the perimeter of a Bolton care home.

A total of 68 residents live at St George’s Court, off St George’s Road, and many were left housebound after the big freeze descended on the country earlier in the week.
On Friday half-a-dozen offenders, under supervision by the town’s probation service, braved subzero temperatures to remove snow and ice, and to spread grit to make the area safe.
Paula MacLeod, Community Support Officer, is the warden at St George’s Court, and said: “The work they’ve carried out is absolutely brilliant and I can’t thank them enough because it’s provided a lifeline for the residents.
“Many of the residents couldn’t walk up the path to get to the bus stop. Obviously a fall can have serious consequences.
“We have a massive car park and it’s been a nightmare trying to get it cleared so cars can gain access. It now means it’s much easier for health carers and visitors.”

Bolton’s Community Payback team, with support from Bolton Council, are also carrying out other clearance projects across the town. Crompton Building Supplies has also donated half a tonne of grit to the scheme.
Mrs MacLeod added: “The team has been ever so friendly, they’ve even pushed cars and vans that were stuck on the car park to get them free.
“It’s a real punishment, I wouldn’t want to be out there in this weather chipping ice.
“Myself and the residents are all thrilled to bits.”
She called the Justice Seen, Justice Done hotline to recommend the project, which was then carried out by the Community Payback team, run by Greater Manchester Probation Trust.
Councillor Sufrana Bashir-Ismail, Executive Member for Cleaner, Greener, Safer, said: “We are delighted that the Community Payback teams gave assistance to vulnerable older residents who have been isolated in their homes following the severe weather conditions.

“This complements the previous and ongoing work that Community Payback has been doing to improve the environment and benefit the communities of Bolton.”
Steve Dyson, Community Payback Officer, added: “We are delighted to help, and will be carrying out similar projects on Sunday and for as long as the snow lasts.
“The offenders have done themselves proud by the amount of work they have put in during freezing temperatures, and they are clearly paying pack to the community against which they offended.”
Members of the public are encouraged to recommend projects for Community Payback on 01204  842509 or payback@bolton.gov.uk
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