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A new scheme to ensure offenders in Stockport 'pay back' their communities for the harm they have caused is being piloted by Stockport Council. The Council's Area Conditions Officers, Hygiene Action Service and Youth Offending Service have worked together to launch the pilot this month.

Offenders will be involved in, for example, removing offensive and unsightly graffiti, maintaining cemeteries, house clearances and other community hygiene work.  They are individually supervised by the Youth Offending Service during their work.

Councillor Helen Foster-Grime, Executive Member for Communities, said: "Partnership working of this type allows young people to have the opportunity to learn the importance of community payback or reparation whilst gaining valuable experience of team working and gaining real experience of working life. It also reduces the likelihood of their reoffending."

"One young man taking part in a pilot said that he found the interaction with the environment team to be very positive and he helped to make Stockport a cleaner borough, whilst learning the importance of reparation," Cllr Foster-Grime added.

Following a full evaluation of the pilot, other eligible people will be involved in the community payback work.