A COMMUNITY payback scheme in a Selby village has seen a £3,000 fence put up to help cut down on antisocial behaviour.

Residents in Barlby contacted their Community Engagement Forum, to complain about youths littering, vandalising and loitering in the area between Barlby Crescent and Riverside Close.

The 80-metre fence was put up for free by a team from the York and North Yorkshire Probation Trust, with funding from the CEF, North Yorkshire County Council and the community safety partnership.

Coun Bill Inness, chairman of the Eastern CEF, said: “We know from what people have told us at forum meetings that this area being used as a short cut has caused a great deal of misery for residents.

“This has been an innovative scheme that has seen the Eastern CEF work hard at linking up with other organisations, including Barlby Parish Council, to tackle antisocial behaviour.”

Barlby Parish Council has also started a campaign to tackle antisocial behaviour in this area, by installing “alcohol-free area” signs, replacing fencing and organising new rubbish bins in the area.

Ed Gray, community payback manager for the probation trust, said: “This is a brilliant example of partnership working. The team is doing work that directly improves local communities.

“Many residents have already commented on how much the work has improved the local area. This is ‘justice seen, justice done’.”

Rachel Bell, Community Payback projects officer said: “This is a terrific project because it’s good, hard, honest labour which sees offenders working hard to give payback in the community they have caused harm.”

To find out more about Selby District Council’s CEF service, visit your-community.org.uk