Offenders tasked with cleaning up our streets

Date: 14 December 2009 (LS/032)

Photo opportunity: Monday 14th December 2009, Perry Barr One Stop Shopping Centre at 1.00pm

Thanks to a Safer Birmingham Partnership initiative, shoppers will get even more than they bargained for when they shop at Northfield, Perry Barr and Aston this December. Local residents will be given the opportunity to submit their own ideas for what offenders should do as a punishment - and get their neighbourhood 'grotspots' cleaned up in return.

Huge mobile adverts to increase public awareness of the benefits of ‘Community Payback’ can be seen on vans at various locations across the city from December 14th to 30th. Police Officers will also be on hand to talk to the public about crime prevention, explaining how they can get help in their neighbourhood as part of the Policing Pledge.

Neighbourhood Crime and Justice Co-ordinator, Andy Tipper, said "We want people to know that Community Payback means two things - 'Punishments for Offenders and Benefits for communities'. You don't just have to accept things the way they are, you can make a difference. Surveys often tell us that the public want to see more visible punishment, and this is just one of the ways it has developed."

Councillor Ayoub Khan, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said "Improving public safety across the city is one of our key aims, but alongside that, we also want the public to feel safe. Public awareness campaigns like this clearly illustrate to the public that offenders do not get away with crime and also give the public chance to have their say on where and how physical punishment should be carried out”.

Anyone can have their say on criminal justice and the areas where they would like to see improvement works carried out. To nominate a site for clean up, simply phone 0121 248 2688 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/localcrime (and type in your postcode) or log onto www.west-midlands.probation.gov.uk

The Safer Birmingham Partnership is committed to reducing crime and making local residents and visitors to the city feel safe – that’s why we’re one of the safest cities in the UK.

END

Notes to Editors

1. Please contact Lindsey Stubbins 0121 303 2160 or Natasha Bhandal 012 303 8727 for further information.

2. The Safer Birmingham Partnership is a multi-agency organisation that includes West Midlands Police, Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Fire Service, Birmingham Primary Care Trusts, Third Sector Assembly, Probation Service and a range of other agencies. Safer Birmingham Partnership ensures the delivery of a range of community safety activity which is aimed at making Birmingham even safer.

The Safer Birmingham Partnership ensures a coordinated approach to crime reduction and community safety providing strategic leadership for partnership working in order to:

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