EIGHT allotment plots have been established by young offenders, specifically for children s use. Hertfordshire County Council s youth offending team worked with young offenders, who are on a community-based reparation scheme, to create the plots at Norton

EIGHT allotment plots have been established by young offenders, specifically for children's use.

Hertfordshire County Council's youth offending team worked with young offenders, who are on a community-based reparation scheme, to create the plots at Norton Allotments in Letchworth GC.

Community-based reparation schemes give young offenders the opportunity to make amends for their behaviour through community projects, and the youths involved in this initiative were from Stevenage, Letchworth GC and Hitchin.

Work began last summer and the plots are smaller than those used by more experienced allotment users, and have been raised to make them more accessible to young green fingers.

Jon, a youth who worked on the site, said: "What I was given to do was worthwhile because I have been building something for children to use. Getting caught and working with the youth offending team has been good for me because it has made me look at what I was doing.

"If I had not been arrested when I was, things may have got more serious and I may have ended up in jail. I have been given a chance and won't be getting into trouble again."

Jason Fisher, from the North Herts youth offending team, said: "This project has been a real community effort, with a lot of support from local businesses who provided the materials to build the plots.

"The young people on reparation have worked really hard to create these beds which are now available for children to come forward and apply."

If anyone is interested in taking one of the raised beds, call Stephen Sears at North Hertfordshire District Council on 01462 474369.