CRIMINALS doing community service will be drafted in to clear footpaths during snowy weather in Kirklees this winter. 

As part of their court orders, offenders taking part in the West Yorkshire Probation Trust’s Community Payback teams will clear snow and ice as the region embraces itself as temperatures drop and the weather becomes hazardous.

Kirklees Council officials are forecasting snow during the morning commute on Thursday and have indicated they will be gritting at 5am in order to try and keep the roads clear.

A spokesman for Community Payback said that offenders will support local authorities and communities to clear snowfall from streets, grit roads, salt footpaths and prevent public areas becoming no go zones. 

They will be redirected from other community-based work to provide a rapid response to any urgent need for local communities. 

Julie Thornton, Assistant Manager of Community Payback in Kirklees, said: “This is a great way for offenders to repay local communities for the crimes they have committed. 

“Clearing snow is physically demanding and time-consuming work. Without it, roads, pavements and car parks can become unsafe. 

“We are pleased to utilise the offenders’ Community Payback hours to help local people in this way, as and when the need arises.”