VICTIMS of crime, along with other Worcestershire residents, are set to be able to choose how offenders pay for the crimes they have committed.

Community Payback, a West Mercia Probation Area scheme, is being launched this week to let county people decide on the type of unpaid work done by offenders serving a community order.

They can suggest all sorts of projects, ranging from work in charity shops and day centres to canal restoration, churchyard maintenance and bringing derelict areas back into use.

The scheme will be launched at Maggs Day Centre by Worcester Mayor, Coun Aubrey Tarbuck - where offenders on community orders help out in the kitchens and serving homeless people.

Chief officer of West Mercia Probation Area, David Chantler, said Community Payback will encourage people to feel involved in and informed about what goes on in their neighbourhoods.

"As a result, the local area will benefit and we hope people will take a long-term, pro-active interest in offenders' work and how projects are developing," he said. "Projects must meet certain criteria. They must take place on public land, not involve work which would normally be done by paid employees, and must meet certain health and safety requirements.

"But within these guidelines there is plenty of scope for people to choose exactly what happens in their area."

Mel Kirk, Volunteer co-ordinator at Maggs Day Centre said that offenders learn a lot from being at the centre.

"One worker had been in lots of trouble previously, but having spent time at the centre, he realised that his offending may one day lead him to being in the same situation as some of the centre users," she said. "He decided he didn't want that to happen and wanted to get his life back on course and go back to college".

The people of Worcester-shire are being given the chance to nominate projects they would like to see carried out in their area by completing a suggestion form on West Mercia's website www.westmercia.probation.org.uk or by contacting the local probation office on Worcester 01905 723591.

Once the work is completed it will be branded with the Community Payback logo to show where offenders have positively contributed to improving their own neighbourhood.