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Posted by Brian on 11th March 2010 at 09:57 PM
Home Secretary Alan Johnson and Hazel Blears talk Community Payback in Salford
by Tom Rodgers and James Bentley

The Home Secretary Alan Johnson came to Swinton today to see for himself how offenders are working locally under the Government’s 'Community Payback' scheme.

On Sefton Street near the Swinton Moorside High School residents complained that the grass verges were making the place look untidy.

So it was down to local offenders to clear up the mess.

Since its launch over 10,000 offenders a month across England and Wales have worn the ‘Community Payback’ high visibility jackets while carrying out work on more than 2,000 projects which benefit local communities.

When the idea for the scheme was first suggested by the Home Office in May 2005 it faced stiff opposition from the national media. A memorable Sun headline criticised Hazel Blears, then working in the Home Office.

Gordon Brown introduced the scheme to the Probation Service in 2008.

Welcoming the Home Secretary to Salford, Hazel Blears MP said:
“People want us to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour as a priority; they want people to give and get respect. And they want justice to be visible. This scheme is doing that and communities are benefitting as well.”

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  12th March 2010
Quite right bloody soundbite politicians who only know what some researcher tells them at least HB seems to be on the ball, you show em Hazel!

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  11th March 2010
Hang on, a Home Secretary comes to Salford to talk about local justice and he doesn't know we could be losing a 1000 years of judicial independence? Disgraceful, you need new researchers!

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  11th March 2010
Neighbourhood policing and neighbourhood justice ......the same thing? I don't think so! Do your homework Mr Johnson

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