OFFENDERS carrying out unpaid work had a visit from Worcester’s MP.

Mike Foster spoke to offenders and their supervisor about their work, their punishment and the support they get to rehabilitate them.

Mr Foster, who visited the group at Worcester Woods Countryside Centre, said: “Community payback isn’t a soft option, but punishment that benefits ordinary people. The offenders accept they have to put something back into the communities they have damaged by their criminal acts.

“Community payback is generally more effective than short prison sentences for particular offenders. The re-offending rate is lower, the punishment is cheaper , the community benefit more from projects being undertaken and the public can see justice being delivered.

“Partnership working like this one between West Mercia Probation and the county council is surely a common sense way forward to have justice done and the community gains at the same time.”