Theft is main reason for probation referrals
The Probation Service’s annual report says that it dealt with 17,150 offenders last year – a slight increase from 16,989 the previous year.
The service is responsible for the supervision and management of people in the community who have offended.
The report shows that the courts referred just over 9,700 people to the service last year – up from 9,200 the previous year.
A breakdown shows that 82% of these referrals related to male offenders. The highest number of referrals were for males in the 25-34 age category.
The number of young people – those aged under 18 – referred to the service by the courts was up by almost 10% to 764.
The service also completed almost 2,200 community-service referral assessments in 2024 – broadly in line with the 2023 figure.
Supervision orders rise
The service made 8,190 supervision orders during the year – an increase from 7,879 in 2023.
Theft offences were again the main reason that offenders were referred to the service last year, with 18.5% of referrals falling into this category. Assault offences made up 17% of referrals, with drugs offences accounting for 16%.
Those convicted of road traffic offences accounted for just over 20% of community-service orders, despite making up just over 7% of total referrals.
Writing in the report, director Mark Wilson said that recruitment competitions had attracted 91 new entrants to the service in 2024, bringing the total number of staff to 499 at the end of the year – up from 456 at the end of 2023.