Young offenders help clean up Torridge 'grot spots'

YOUNG offenders are helping Torridge District Council s Green Team to clean up well known grot spots in the area. Graffiti-spoiled Welcome signs and bus shelters in Westward Ho! have been given a make-over, parts of Bideford have been cleaned up, t

YOUNG offenders are helping Torridge District Council's Green Team to clean up well known "grot spots" in the area.

Graffiti-spoiled 'Welcome' signs and bus shelters in Westward Ho! have been given a make-over, parts of Bideford have been cleaned up, too, and now the youngsters have turned their attention to the town's disused Cattle Market.

Jewson's of Bideford donated the paint for the North Devon Probation Service to tackle the first part of the old market buildings.

Leader of Torridge District Council James Morrish said, "We have been successfully working with the North Devon Youth Offending Team and the Probation Service for some time now and they have really started to make a difference - doing a great job. We hope to continue working with them in the future to stay on top of the graffiti problem in our area."

Geraldine Ford, Probation Unpaid Work Manager, said: "Justice being seen to be done raises public confidence in community sentences. The public can see that an offender doing hard work in all weathers, is not a soft option.

"Offenders work a specified number of hours between 40 and 300, which is normally completed within 12 months. The main purpose of Unpaid Work is to punish the offender whilst giving something back to communities, and to aid offender rehabilitation.

" We are keen to involve communities in suggesting possible Unpaid Work tasks. Projects must meet certain criteria. For example, they must take place on public land, must not involve work which would normally be done by paid employees and must meet certain health and safety requirements. Within these guidelines there is scope for people to help choose schemes within their area. People can contact us on (01271) 312279.