A quarter of criminals in the Midlands are failing to do menial tasks they have been ordered to carry out by judges, it was revealed today.

More than 2,300 crooks were ordered to take part in Community Payback, but only 1,713 of the orders were completed.

In Sandwell, only 68 per cent of the orders were carried out, compared to 85 per cent in Cannock, figures from April 2010 to January 2011 show.

Work done by convicts, who wear bright orange vests with Community Payback written on, includes a recent clean-up of graffiti from road signs and phone boxes in Dudley. Criminals can be given the orders after being convicted of a wide range of offences including theft and assault.

But many are getting away with not completing them, by claiming they are ill or simply not turning up to do the work. Those who flout the orders are taken back to court for re-sentencing and can be jailed.

Critics say the orders are a soft touch, but probation officials say they are a cheaper alternative to prison.