Reduced crime rates in West Yorkshire

West Yorkshire Probation is one of only four Probation Areas in the
country to demonstrate that it has significantly reduced crimes committed
by offenders in the county.

Figures for adult reoffending published by the Ministry of Justice show a
statistically significant reduction in re-offending by those under West
Yorkshire Probation supervision during the year April 2008 – March 2009.

Mark Siddall, Director of Offender Management for West Yorkshire
Probation, said:

“Our aim in supervising offenders who are serving a community sentence or
on licence following a custodial sentence is to reduce re-offending and
protect the public.

“Probation staff achieve this aim by working with offenders in groups to
change their behaviour by changing the way they think. They also work
with individuals to secure accommodation and employment or training, since
research shows these are the factors most likely to lead offenders to
return to a law-abiding way of life.

“We are delighted that these latest statistics show our work is having the
desired effect, and making our community safer”.