Innovative Crimefighting Approach Sees Drastic Cut in Offending
09/09/2011
An innovative multi-agency crimefighting approach has cut offending by the most prolific criminals in West Sussex by 43 per cent.
The latest figures, for the year 2009/10, show 121 offenders were part of the Prolific and Priority Offending (PPO) scheme in West Sussex. In the 12 months they were part of the scheme that group of offenders committed 333 crimes, compared to 583 the previous year a reduction of 43 per cent.
The PPO scheme is part of the countys Integrated Offender Management project, a partnership between Surrey & Sussex Probation Trust, Sussex Police, local authorities, youth offending and other agencies that work with offenders.
It targets repeat offenders who research has shown commit a disproportionate amount of crime. It is estimated that approximately 10% of offenders are responsible for half of all crimes, and that a very small proportion of offenders (0.5%) are responsible for every 1 in 10 offences.
Under PPO offenders are subject to intensive supervision when released from prison and under supervision in the community. Typically this will involve reporting to a number of agencies up to four times a week to address the reasons behind why they offend. That could include probation, police and substance misuse providers.
Jane Browne, Surrey & Sussex Probation Trusts offender management director for West Sussex, said: Very often the people who commit the most crimes are driven by drug and alcohol addiction - stealing to fund their habits and commit other crime as a result of a chaotic lifestyle. This has a huge impact on communities and families in the county.
The PPO scheme recognizes that these offenders have very complex needs and problems which contribute to their offending which cant always be addressed by a single agency. That could include homelessness, unemployment, substance misuse or debt.
These reoffending figures show that working in partnership and targeting our resources in this way is having a real impact on reducing reoffending and crime.
Integrated Offender Management operates out of SSPT offices in Chichester, Worthing and Crawley. The teams are staffed by a pool of probation officers, collocated police officers, Citizens Advice Bureau, Jobcentre Plus, health workers and housing workers.
The scheme is part-funded by West Sussex County Council and the countys Community Safety Partnerships, who provide funds to develop some of the services.
