In our local high street today I saw 5 males and 1 female all painting a tiny metal fence and on closer inspection realised that they were doing community payback (had orange high vis jackets with community payback on the back) Never seen it in action before
They were being supervised by another male wearing a yellow jacket (who I am assuming was not an offender) and 3, yes 3 police officers!! They were painting a short metal fence that was the length of the a pelican crossing and I have never seen such half hearted painting in my life, my 3 DS could have done a better job. They were all also standing around smoking throughout this.
Is this really an effective way to punish offenders? The website says the work should be 'demanding'
Is this an effective use of police resources in a time when 10,000 police officers are being cut?
Seems to me it would have been much cheaper to have employed someone to do this once you factor in the cost of the superviser and the police resources?