Dear G

Anti-social offenders have been out in their communities to repay the damage they have done as the Immediate Justice scheme continues to accelerate in Northamptonshire.

The Immediate Justice scheme means that adults found committing anti-social behaviour can be made to repair the damage they have inflicted by being made to pick up litter, remove graffiti or carry out other environmental improvements in the areas where they have offended.

In the last month, there have been 11 further referrals to the scheme, almost double the number of cases in the first two months after its December launch.

The scheme is being trialled in Northamptonshire, one of just 16 pilot areas in the country, following successful lobbying for Home Office funding last year by Stephen Mold (pictured above), the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

The pilot was visited by Home Office officials this week, who went to see the scheme delivered first hand by Immediate Justice Supervisors who sit within the Commissioner’s office.

The officials were accompanied by the Supervisors as well as the Commissioner in a visit to see a 23-year-old man, who had been found in the possession of cannabis, carry out four hours of litter picking in Corby. The young man told Supervisors that he had found the session of value.