The Immediate Justice Team from the Office of Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone has teamed up with North Northants Council to make improvements to Corby Boating Lake.
Offenders are referred to the Immediate Justice programme by police after they have been caught committing low-level crimes and anti-social behaviour. They are then given the opportunity to give back to the community and repair the harm they have caused through reparative work.
Three young people, aged 13, 15 and 17 were all caught shoplifting and were given 4 hours of reparative work each. The young people served their penalty by repainting three dilapidated benches at the boating lake, freshening them up for members of the public to enjoy them.
The work was organised by the Immediate Justice Team and the rangers at the park, who arranged equipment so that the bench could be repaired.
Cllr Greg Wilcox, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Communities, said: “It’s great to see this marvellous partnership initiative in action, where offenders are required to give back to the community for their actions.
“These offences are never isolated – our communities belong to all of us and any crimes that take place impact on everyone.”
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone is encouraged by the partnership working between the organisations.
“I am really pleased that the Immediate Justice Team has worked together with the council to make a small improvement that has a big impact. Having clean and well-looked after facilities encourages people to use them and discourages others from committing anti-social behaviour in the space.
“I hope both the Immediate Justice Team and North Northants Council can continue working together to make improvements to more of our community spaces in Northamptonshire.”
Offenders taking part in the programme have now delivered 1500 hours of reparative work in over 70 locations across Northamptonshire since its inception in December 2023.
