From today it is compulsory for offenders doing community service to wear orange high-visibility jackets with the words "Community Payback" written on them.

The Government's idea is to raise public awareness of community punishment projects.

But Napo, the probation union, has voiced concerns about the potential threat to the offenders due to easy identification.

It cites shooting incidents at Newnham in east London and Liverpool as evidence offenders could be targeted.

The union has called for risk-assessments to be carried out before a person is asked to wear one of the vests.

If you're interested, the wording "Community Payback" on the back of the jackets has to be in purple and no less than 30mm high.

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