Prolific & Priority Offender Stakeholders' Event
Creating safer communities by tackling repeat offending was the theme of a highly successful event in Cambridgeshire in February.
Nationally it’s estimated that 10 per cent of the offending population commits at least half of all serious crime.
In Peterborough alone, repeat offenders – known as Prolific and Priority Offenders (PPOs) – are responsible for 21% of all recorded acquisitive crime. This includes offences such as burglaries, car crime and robberies.
The Cambridgeshire Criminal Justice Board (CCJB) hosted a Prolific and Priority Offender Stakeholders’ Event in Hemingford on February 29 to bring together key people involved with repeat offenders.
Bernard Lane, director of the Home Office’s PPO programme, talked about the link between tackling PPOs and reducing crime.
Figures show that in areas where there's been positive intervention with PPOs over a 17-month period, crime has fallen by 62%, Mr Lane said.
Tom Jefford, deputy chair of CCJB and head of Cambridgeshire Youth Offending Service, said supporting the county’s PPO scheme is a key priority.
In Cambridgeshire there are special teams dedicated to dealing with PPOs throughout the different agencies in the Criminal Justice System. They’re combining their skills to produce a co-ordinated strategy throughout the county.
Matthew Ryder, head of offender management for the Probation Service, said rehabilitating offenders plays a vital role in cutting crime and preventing further victims.
Other speakers included Peterborough City Council chief executive Gillian Beasley, the council’s PPO co-ordinator Vickie Clements and Youth Offending Service team manager Iain Easton.