By Jasmine Thomas-Alie
Nottingham offenders are being given the chance to do community service projects in their local areas instead of going to court.
Called ‘immediate justice’, around 200 people have gone through the new system since January.
The police say the scheme works because it can save victims the stress and time of facing a court case, while also ensuring people who have broken the law are better rehabilitated by giving something back to their local area.
It is being used for low-level crimes such as anti-social behaviour, theft, criminal damage, and shoplifting and can be enacted days after the offences are committed.
The swift process has been designed to allow victims to move on with their lives with an out-of-court solution.
It is only offered to eligible first-time or low-level offenders, and involves seven hours of community work alongside rehabilitative conditions, instead of facing criminal charges and court.
One local participant, who spoke to Notts TV, said: “I was given options, and this seemed like the best, for myself and the community.”
The 20-year-old, who asked not to be named, was caught fraudulently using a phone belonging to someone else to pay for items.
He was part of a team carrying out litter picking close to Asda in Hyson Green, Nottingham, on Thursday (August 1) as part of the scheme.
He said: “I am human, and I did make a mistake, but this is a way for me to rectify it. Yes, I could be doing other things but at the end of the day I am doing something good.”
The roles involve the removal of graffiti, litter picking or taking part in other positive community activities.
The rehabilitative activities have taken place across Nottinghamshire at places including parks, alleyways, and community centres.
Offenders referred to the scheme are monitored by service supervisors as they carry out the tasks.
Chief Superintendent Chris Pearson, of Notts Police, said: “Immediate Justice is about enabling offenders, those who have committed crimes or have been involved in anti-social behaviour, to take part in reparative work in the community.
“This effectively will provide them with the opportunity to put right the harm that they have caused.”
The project involves both Notts Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire. It is carried out on the ground by Red Snapper Managed Services, a company providing intervention and rehabilitation schemes.
Chief Supt Pearson added: “We want to give our community a voice in this, today, we are launching ‘fix my street’ as an opportunity for members of the public to tell us where they want the reparative actions to take part in the local community.”
Red Snapper, managed services said the aim is to show communities that anti-social behaviour is to be treated seriously with urgency.
Red Snapper director, Jonathan Hussey, said: “We aim to deliver in anti-social behaviour hotspots.
“This is so we can have a visual impact of where we are delivering these projects, so that the community can see we are really trying to make a difference.”
The scheme is set to end in March 2025, although Chief Supt Pearson, says there is hope it will be extended.
Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden said: “We want to show communities in a very visible way that anti-social behaviour is being treated seriously and with urgency, whilst also acting as a deterrent to others.”
