Offenders give something back

Dec 3 2009 by Kathryn Quayle, Chester Chronicle

ENVIRONMENTAL offenders could be asked to clean up their act as part of a community initiative.

As part of the Respect Action Programme (RAP) some people found guilty of committing environmental crimes could be asked to give something back to the local area that they have damaged.

Those caught illegally dumping rubbish or vandalising buildings and public spaces with graffiti could be spending time removing it. Offenders will be asked to carry out non scheduled work throughout Cheshire West and Chester to improve the local environment.

The RAP project is run by Streetscene at Cheshire West & Chester Council which works in partnership with the Cheshire Probation Service, State Registered Landlords, British Telecom and other partners.

The programme relies on the support of local businesses and partners to provide materials to complete the projects.

Successful projects to date include land clearances, subway painting and graffiti removal.

Councillor Neil Ritchie, portfolio holder for the environment at Cheshire West and Chester, said: “It is important for offenders to understand the impact of their offences. By working with people who have links to this sort of crime we can show them the problems it causes, make them rectify it and hopefully deter them from committing such acts in the future.”