Woman shows gratitude for Immediate Justice
A Nottingham woman whose XL Bully escaped onto the streets has spoken of her gratitude at being able to take part in Immediate Justice.
Katie’s dog got out through a gap in a garden fence without a muzzle or lead, before approaching a smaller dog and becoming aggressive towards it and its owner.
It is a criminal offence to own or possess an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless you have a valid Certificate of Exemption, or to have one in public without a lead and muzzle.
As a result, Katie was given an opportunity to complete Immediate Justice, a scheme which is spearheaded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire.
The scheme ensures that individuals who commit low-level offences or engage in antisocial behaviour can swiftly take responsibility for their actions by contributing to the upkeep of local communities.
It focuses on improving public spaces while offering offenders an opportunity for rehabilitation and positive contribution.
Katie said: “I’m happy I was able to make up for what had happened, and in a way which is also improving the local area.
“I would definitely recommend the process of Immediate Justice instead of going through the court system.
“It was very quick for me, after the first call with the police to carrying out the work it was all very swift.”
Katie was one of several service users involved in a day of action which saw a cleanup take place in areas throughout the city centre, with work including litter picking, cleaning graffiti and tidying up the surrounding areas.
This effort was the result of a first referral of its kind made through a local authority.
Funding was made available earlier this year to local councils across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, based on need, to ensure there is extra resource for council partners to tackle antisocial behaviour.
The officers are able to refer offenders into the Immediate Justice scheme as an out-of-court disposal for their offence.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden said: “Katie’s story is a great example of the swift and productive way in which the Immediate Justice scheme works.
“She recognised what had happened and was keen to make amends through the work she has now completed.
“At the same time, this is another chance to show our communities that action is being taken and a difference is being made.”
The Immediate Justice programme is an important tool in tackling antisocial behaviour in Nottinghamshire. Offenders involved in the scheme are required to complete visible, meaningful tasks that give back to the community while teaching valuable lessons about responsibility and the consequences of their actions.
Offenders who are referred to the scheme are supervised by criminal justice Interventions service provider Red Snapper Managed Services Ltd, as they go out to carry out work in neighbourhoods across the city and county.
These projects are designed not only to make public spaces more pleasant and welcoming but also to involve residents in identifying priority areas and helping to guide the work that needs to be done.
The ‘Fix My Street’ platform – which can be accessed on the website of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner - enables residents to highlight areas in need of attention, allowing offenders who have committed antisocial behaviour to make amends by carrying out vital community reparation within days of their offence.
The Fix My Street web page, powered by the SocietyWorks platform, gives residents the opportunity to pinpoint areas in their community that need attention. Once a referral is made, the Immediate Justice team assesses the location and decides on an appropriate course of action.
To report an area near you for a clean-up, or to find out more, visit www.immediatejusticenotts.co.uk.