A NEW scheme was due to be launched today giving Wyre Forest people the chance to influence how offenders pay communities back for the crimes they have committed.
Through Community Payback, run by the West Mercia Probation Area, people can suggest the kind of unpaid work undertaken by offenders serving punishment orders.
Kidderminster mayor, Peter Dyke, was due to unveil the scheme at a ceremony at the Oldington and Foley Park Community Network furniture centre, which already has offenders helping out in the warehouse and assisting with collections and deliveries.
Once projects have been completed they will be branded with the Community Payback logo to show where lawbreakers have contributed positively to improving their own neighbourhoods.
They must involve work that would not otherwise be carried out, combining punishment for the offender with hard work, and benefit the locality.
Current projects range from work in charity shops and renovating community centres to churchyard maintenance and bringing derelict areas back into use.
People can 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 Kidderminster probation office on 01562 820071.
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