Payback gang in site clearance

Watching an offender at work are, from left, Councillor David Shaw, Jan Joshi (Royton, Shaw and Crompton Neighbourhood manager), PCSO Deborah Gilbert, Chris Oakley (Oldham Community Payback manager) and Derek Robinson (supervisor)

AN illegal dumping ground in Shaw was top of the list when residents voted for which area they wanted cleaned up by offenders.

Beard Street, off Shaw Road, Royton, is now spick and span after probation officers supervised two groups from the Community Payback scheme who spent four weekends tidying up.

Beard Street was the first of five areas which will be cleaned up by the offenders now Oldham is one of 54 Neighbourhood Crime and Justice Pioneer Areas.

The borough is taking part in a nationwide scheme called Justice Seen, Justice Done, backed by Oldham Council and the Greater Manchester Probation Trust (GMPT).

Local people had the chance tovote for which scheme they wanted done most and Beard Street came out on top.

Offenders will complete the other four projects during the next year in Failsworth, Glodwick, Clarksfield and Copster Hill.

Chris Oakley, the borough’s Community Payback manager, said: “It is excellent that residents have taken the time to vote on which projects they want offenders to complete in the area.

“The community is taking an active role in the criminal justice system. Seeing offenders making retribution to the community against which they have offended will help improve people’s understanding of Community Payback.

“These high visibility projects are just a fraction of the work carried out by Community Payback teams across Oldham.”