|
Essex people to have their say on crime-cutting projects funded from 'cash back’ assets seized from local criminals
Essex residents have the opportunity to help decide how cash and assets seized from criminals can be spent to help cut crime and anti-social behaviour in the county.
In June, Essex Criminal Justice Board, along with 41 other boards in England and Wales, were told they could bid for a £95,000 share of criminal assets totalling £4 million.
From more than 30 projects nominated across the county, five have been shortlisted for public consultation to help decide which of the schemes should be put forward to receive funding.
Chief Crown Prosecutor and chairman of the Essex Criminal Justice Board, Ken Caley, said:
“Community Cashback offers an excellent opportunity for us to respond directly to the communities’ needs, so we really encourage people to have their say on the local projects they believe would benefit from this fund.
“Victims and witnesses are at the heart of the Criminal Justice System and without their support, which is given day in and day out, there would be no justice. We therefore recognise how important it is to listen to the views of the public to help us improve the quality of life for residents through schemes such as this.”
People can have their say on the shortlisted projects from Sunday 13 September until Friday 25 September, by logging on to Essex CJB’s website at: www.cjsonline.gov.uk/essex and go to the Community Cashback link on the website.
The shortlisted projects on the site are:
Basildon SOS Bus – which aims to reduce violent crime and increase public safety by being based at the Festival Leisure Park during the busiest nights of the week, and at other times as an educational resource.
Braintree Prevention, Outreach and Development Project – to provide an outreach vehicle in Braintree town centre to tackle criminal damage related to alcohol mis-use; tackle youth nuisance and support Community Payback schemes by providing toilet and kitchen facilities for those engaged on unpaid work as part of a community sentence.
North Avenue, Chelmsford Youth Centre Front Door Renovation – a project to repair vandalism damage to the Youth Centre in North Avenue, Chelmsford. Restoring a children’s play area for use by young people. The play area has become unusable because of drug-related activity in the area.
Respect, Colchester – a proposal from the Essex Association of Boy’s Clubs to run a 12 week programme for 14-15 year olds from the Colchester area who are showing signs of disengaging from education and either becoming victims of crime, or involved in criminal activity themselves.
Ninefields Community Centre Project, Waltham Abbey – a project to renovate a community centre damaged by vandalism. The project would include the provision of a new secure entrance and a complimentary young persons’ community art project to help nurture a sense of ownership among young users.
After the public consultation ends on 25 September, up to three projects will go forward to the Office for Criminal Justice Reform for a final decision, with an announcement of the winning projects being made in October. |
First National Probation Champion of the Year is from Essex Probation
Offender Manager Steve Knight of Essex Probation Trust has been named Probation Champion of the Year, at the first annual Probation Awards.
Honoured for his outstanding work with Prolific and Priority Offenders (PPOs), a role he has carried out for the last four years, Steve has helped to turn around the lives of some of the most challenging offenders.
Director General Phil Wheatley said: "Congratulations to Steve, firstly for becoming the first ever Probation Champion of the Year, and secondly for the excellent work he has done and continues to do with PPOs.
"He is a more than worthy representative of the innovative and effective work within NOMS that is helping to reduce reoffending and protect the public.
"My congratulations go also to all the category winners and nominees at this first ever Probation Awards. We can all learn from the examples they set through their dedication and professionalism. It is important that we celebrate success in this challenging business of persuading offenders that they can change."
Steve’s work with one prolific offender who had accrued 18 convictions in one year is one example of why he was chosen as Probation Champion of the Year.
He persisted with the offender and successfully referred him to The Bridge Project, an intensive alternative to short custodial sentences, which the offender had previously received.
The offender is now in full time employment and is close to successfully completing a Community Order for the first time ever.
Steve has also devised new strategies for dealing with PPOs, and introduced a more robust approach when dealing with breaches and licence failures, among other achievements.
Steve said: "It’s good to be recognised for the work that we do. Often the media focuses on the bad side of what we do. But we’ve seen from all the work and effort that’s everybody here at the awards has put in, there’s nothing we can’t achieve."
|
