ALMOST 200 unpaid work orders were not completed by offenders in Fife due to the pandemic.

As an alternative to prison, sheriffs can opt to sentence those found guilty of a crime to make amends through tasks such as picking up litter and gardening.

There were 373 community payback orders handed out in Fife with an unpaid work requirement in 2020-21, compared to 812 the previous year, but only 94 (83 men and 11 women) were completed.

Team manager of Fife Council's criminal justice social work service, Stuart MacArthur, said: "The figures are down in terms of the number of hours we've been able to undertake which is a direct effect of the pandemic."

From January to April, no unpaid work was undertaken which meant the number of hours of completed in 2020-21 was 15,752, compared to 86,664 in 2019-20.

He added they were "still finding it difficult" due to the number of staff and clients testing positive for COVID but efforts to re-establish the service were under way.

Mr MacArthur told the City of Dunfermline area committee: "The picture now is we're open for business and trying to get as many people out and into the squads as we possibly can to do the good work in the community."

Depending on the severity of the crime, offenders are given a level one order, which is between 20 and 100 hours to be carried out within three months, or a level two order, which is between 100 and 300 hours, and must be completed within six months.

Projects often include painting, litter-picking, supporting foodbanks, decorating, gardening and removals.

At the end, a plaque is left to show the unpaid work scheme carried out the labour.

During the first lockdown, the Scottish Government said offenders should be given extra time to complete the unpaid work.

And, in the second lockdown, it said the number of outstanding hours could be reduced by up to 35 per cent to try to clear the backlog, except where the offender was convicted of crimes such as domestic abuse, sexual harm and stalking.

Mr MacArthur said the service adapted during the pandemic and were now seeking to spread the message of the positive work they do on social media.

Offenders did manage rubbish uplifts at the Jean Mackie Centre, Mathew Fyfe care home, Townhill Loch and community woodland, Woodmill and St Columba's high schools, and gardening at some of those sites as well as Townhill's edible nature area, Balfour Court and Dollar Court.

Councillor Helen Law, the convener of the committee, said “There are too many projects to mention them all.

"And, this year in particular when there was a greater need for foodbanks and other community support, the workers and the staff who work with them should be proud of the difference they have made.”