A total of 75,000 hours of unpaid work have been completed by people convicted of offences as part of North Lanarkshire Council's Restorative Justice scheme.

This represents a 34 per cent uptick in hours from the previous year.

The work included building play equipment, sprucing up gardens, and refurbishing and giving bicycles to local residents.

Community Payback Orders, first implemented in 2011, serve as a custody alternative to ensure people convicted of offences make restitution to the community and engage in services which support their rehabilitation and social inclusion.

Glasgow Times: The past year has seen multiple accomplishments including contributing 419 bags of allotment fresh

Councillor Angela Campbell, convener of Education, Children and Families Committee, said: "Individuals serving community payback orders are given the chance to build on their rehabilitation by developing new skills while giving something back to local communities.

"Our Restorative Justice’s yearly report demonstrates how we’re supporting service users, and the benefits unpaid work is bringing to communities.

“I’ve seen first-hand the real difference our team and service users are making.

"Providing families and children who wouldn’t otherwise have the chance to own a bike, supporting groups including churches, schools and sheltered houses and delivering ambitious projects such as our allotments."

The past year has seen multiple accomplishments including contributing 419 bags of allotment fresh produce, providing 254 refurbished bikes, and distributing 92 food hampers along with 145 food parcels.

An additional 112 gifts for adults, 135 gift vouchers, and food vouchers were among the Christmas gifts offered to the community.

Glasgow Times: Community Payback serve as a custody alternative to ensure people convicted of offences make

The unpaid service participants also acquired potential employment skills.

Approximately 207 individuals enhanced their prospects by learning to plaster, wallpaper and lay flooring in a home improvement workshop.

Councillor Campbell said the council will continue to deliver their service to provide opportunities for offenders to boost their career options, sense of community and teamwork while making a difference to their local areas.