Yobs to be forced to clean-up crime hotspots within 48 hours under new Government crackdown
YOBS will be forced to clean-up crime hotspots within 48 hours under a new crackdown.
Rapid deployment teams will tackle fly-tipping, littering, vandalism and graffiti.
Ministers hope it will reassure blighted communities they can expect a swift response to anti-social behaviour.
The Community Payback plan will make it easier for the public to report incidents and nominate clean-up projects.
Local probation services also have to consult with charities and victim groups on the type of unpaid work carried out.
Six-month pilot schemes are being launched in Manchester, the North East and East of England, and Wales.
The new scheme will apply to anyone who has been sentenced to unpaid work.
More than 50,000 unpaid work requirements are dished out by courts every year for crimes such as theft, criminal damage and booze-related incidents.
The project is expected to see offenders carry out 20,000 hours of hard graft in six months.
If successful, it is hoped to roll out the plans nationally by the start of next year.
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Alex Chalk KC said: “Anti-social behaviour is a blight on society and can leave proud neighbourhoods feeling neglected.
“These rapid deployment teams will mean that eyesores are dealt with swiftly to ensure convicts are made to give back to the communities they have offended against.”