main content Community Payback launches in Bromley

It’s Payback time for offenders serving community orders…

Community Payback launched in Bromley today as Bromley Council joins forces with the Met’s Safer Neighbourhoods teams and London Probation in this new and unique approach to rehabilitate offenders.

This is the latest in a range of activities undertaken by members of the Safer Bromley Partnership with the aim of continuously improving safety in the borough.

The Londonwide Community Payback scheme means that offenders will ‘repay’ local residents by doing unpaid work supervised by London Probation staff, alongside Safer Neighbourhoods officers and staff from local councils.
This partnership will see offenders tackling quality-of-life crimes and issues identified by people living and working in the area as the concerns that most affect their daily lives and feelings of security. Tasks will include removing graffiti and litter, pruning bushes and trees to improve visibility, and improving security by making footpaths safer.

As well as providing environmental improvements to local areas, the initiative provides offenders with essential life skills, which aim to prevent them from becoming involved in any further offences.

Cllr. Neil Reddin, Executive Councillor for Community Safety and Leisure and Chair of the Safer Bromley Partnership said: “Community Payback is a perfect example of what can be achieved through strong partnership working. It delivers tangible benefits to local residents as well as helping offenders redress some of the harm they have caused. We have already seen positive results for Bromley since this scheme was launched in our borough and I look forward to this continuing.”

Met Chief Inspector Marshall Kent from Bromley Safer Neighbourhoods unit said: “Communities in Bromley have been telling us about some of their concerns and graffiti is one such problem. We have listened and are responding positively to issues that matter most in neighbourhoods.

“Bromley police in partnership with other agencies and offenders will be working together to tackle these problems. I hope this operation encourages those offenders involved to choose a life away from crime and also discourages anyone who thinks being a criminal pays from committing crimes. We hope that the work offenders undertake will lead to the community feeling safer in our borough”

London Probation’s Payback Manager, Mike Wells said: “Working in partnership is a way forward for London Probation. We are integrating our expertise to help make communities safer for local residents and to help offenders put something back into the areas in which they live.”

ENDS

Note to editors:

• The offenders are supervised by London Probation and accompanied by police officers who will also promote community liaison and deliver leaflets in surrounding areas. 
• Each Safer Neighbourhoods team consists of a minimum of six uniformed officers – one sergeant, two PCs and three Police Community Support Officers.
• They, together with the community and partner agencies, tackle the issues identified through local public consultation. 
• Each team is dedicated to the needs of one specific neighbourhood, and is provided in addition to London’s other policing teams and specialist units. 
• There are currently 285 Safer Neighbourhoods teams in existence across London. All Londoners will benefit from a Safer Neighbourhoods team by 2006.
• All Bromley wards will have their own Safer Neighbourhood Panels in place by April 2006.
• The Safer Bromley Partnership is committed to continuously improving safety in Bromley. We want a borough where people can live, work, play and learn safely. Our members include Bromley Council, Bromley Police, Health, Probation, Fire and London Ambulance Services, the Metropolitan Police Authority and Broomleigh Housing Association.
• For media enquiries, please contact Susie Clark, Communications Officer, on 020 8461 7911, or email susie.clark@bromley.gov.uk