Council using offenders to clean up town centre

People who have committed minor crimes are cleaning up Swindon town centre as part of their sentences.

The community payback programme sees those convicted do unpaid work in their local area.

In Swindon, groups are taking part in the Big Town Centre Clean-Up, a council scheme to tidy up the streets in response to calls from residents.

Matt Hinton, cabinet member for community engagement, safety and services, said: "Once these sessions have been completed, we will explore how community payback could play a wider role in supporting communities across Swindon and helping to address environmental issues that matter to residents."

Already, offenders help maintain Whitworth Road Cemetery in Swindon via community payback.

The council says the collaboration with the probation service is organised "with the safety of participants and the public remaining a priority at all times".

During the town centre clean-up sessions, supervised offenders will carry out tasks like graffiti removal. The first session took place on 19 August.

Kevin Parry, cabinet member for recycling and streetscene, said: "I'm grateful to the probation service for working closely with us to establish these community payback sessions.

"They will provide practical support for our clean-up efforts while giving participants the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the community."

The Big Town Centre Clean-Up has seen council staff and volunteers remove litter and graffiti, power-wash pavements, tidy flower beds and clear vegetation at places such as Fleming Way.

The council has urged people to be "proud" of their town centre.

Parry said: "We had residents speak to us on the doorsteps and say they felt it needed it [the clean up]. We listened and it was one of our priorities.

"We [the council] only own 5% of the town centre... it is for all of us. Let's be proud of it and put something back into it, that's what we are saying."

Work has also been completed to restore the Golden Lion statue on Bridge Street, which was made to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

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