Immediate Justice helps to increase flood defences in Weedon Bec

A community in Weedon Bec is now better protected from flooding thanks to Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone’s Immediate Justice Team.

The project saw one offender, a man in his 50s, referred to the scheme by Northamptonshire Police after he was caught shoplifting. As part of the Immediate Justice programme, which requires offenders to complete visible community repairs, he was tasked with supporting the Weedon Flood Liaison Action Group (FLAG).

Working alongside FLAG, he helped to fill and position two tonnes of sandbags at the New Croft garages in Weedon Bec, a site that has experienced flooding that flows down to neighbouring roads and homes.

The sandbags will help to reduce the effects of low-level flooding as part of a wider flood response in the village.

West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) ward members for Woodford and Weedon, Councillor Charlie Hastie and Councillor Rupert Frost, encouraged FLAG to utilise the Immediate Justice Team to support the project.

Cllr Charlie Hastie, Deputy Leader of WNC and Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, said: “This is a great example of different organisations working together to deliver a positive outcome for our communities.

“By supporting Weedon FLAG to strengthen local flood defences, the Immediate Justice programme has not only helped protect residents and properties from future flooding but also ensured that offenders make a meaningful contribution to the places they have impacted.

“We’d like to thank everyone involved for helping make a real difference in Weedon Bec.”

Steve Edwards, Coordinator from Weedon FLAG, said: “The Team were efficient, enthusiastic and productive, and the work they completed will be of genuine benefit to our community.

“Immediate Justice has meant that our local people have seen a positive and useful outcome from the work undertaken and I am grateful that the Team was able to help us.”

The Immediate Justice programme has now cleaned up, made repairs or provided help to more than 80 public areas and community spaces across the county, through over 3,000 hours of reparative work assigned to offenders.

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone said: “Immediate Justice makes sure that offenders carry out meaningful, visible reparative work that directly benefits communities like Weedon.

“Those who commit crimes should pay the penalty. By going through my Immediate Justice programme, this offender has avoided going through the court system and has instead directly supported residents in Northamptonshire.”