Report a vandal - and get a cash reward (From Craven Herald)

Report a vandal - and get a cash reward

7:10am Friday 25th August 2006 in News By Jenny Speak

REPORTING vandals who target Skipton's recreation grounds, allotments and woodlands could pay off to the tune of £100 in the future.

The town council has agreed to introduce a payment system to reward those who provide information leading to the conviction of offenders.

The idea was put forward by the council's chief officer, Lis Moore, in a move to drum out costly episodes of deliberate damage.

And the public amenities committee was all in favour of the scheme when it met on Monday.

Coun Robert Heseltine said the problem of vandalism in the town was getting worse.

"It's only when they're hit in their pockets that their behaviour will improve," he declared.

He added that he also wanted to work with Craven District Council to employ environmental wardens.

Coun Paul English said the new scheme would be in line with the town council's zero tolerance policy on vandalism.

He recalled that a few years ago, a handful of youngsters caught damaging the recreation ground at Pasture Close had been tasked with cleaning fire engines.

He added that it was imperative for parents and guardians to take responsibility for their children's actions.

Coun Polly English said she had been contacted by a resident on Sunday morning who said there had been a party at the Bold Venture playground and glass had been left on the slide.

When Coun English went to look at the site she had to sweep up beer cans and glass and even discovered a supermarket shopping trolley.

She told the meeting: "It's typical of what's happening and it's not good enough. People are frightened to say it's going on and I have said to them if they don't want to ring the police, ring me and I will ring them."

Coun English said she would be keeping an eye on the Bold Venture site and would call the police if she saw anyone damaging equipment.

Mrs Moore said she was delighted councillors had decided to adopt the recognition payment scheme.

She is now hoping to get it up and running as soon as possible and will be working with Craven's anti-social behaviour co-ordinator, Stacey Mitchell, over its implementation.

Mrs Moore suggested that the Skipton scheme should mimic one already being run by Wootton Bassett Town Council, in Wiltshire.

There, guidelines state that any person who supplies the police or town council with information leading to the conviction of another person for an offence causing loss or damage to council property could be eligible for a payment of up to £100.

While the town council could incur costs in providing the signage and any payments arising from the scheme, it is possible that the courts would award costs arising from criminal damage to council property.

The town council owns 10 recreation sites - Bold Venture, Broughton Road, Burnside, the Ginnel, Lytham Close, Middletown, North Parade, Pasture Close, Raikes Road and Shortbank Close.

It also controls allotments at Broughton Road, Middletown, Burnside Chapel and war memorials on the High Street and the entrance to Aireville Park.

The Wilderness Woods, off Otley Road, also belong to the council.

The payment for information system would apply to all the town council's assets.