Reoffending rate reduces

The number of criminals who reoffend across Rochdale has reduced.

Statistics from the Ministry of Justice show 3,848 offenders were monitored over 12 months and 8.29 per cent went on to commit a further crime.

The figures cover the 12 month period from October, 2009 to September, 2010.

The actual re-offending rate of 8.29 per cent was lower than the predicted re-offending rate for Rochdale of 9.71 per cent.

The MoJ figures indicate re-offending rates have fallen by 14.66 per cent across Rochdale since its introduction.

The snapshot of offenders cover a wide range of crimes from low-level to high risk and are used to monitor re-offending rates

Sample sizes vary across each area but are all based on a selection of different offenders.

Across the North-West based on 103,910 released prisoners, 9.97 per cent committed further crimes. Wirral had the highest re-offending percentage rate at 11.61, followed by Cumbria. Bury had the lowest rate at 7.96.

In Greater Manchester as a whole, 9.44 per cent of those being monitored re-offended.
The snapshot measure was introduced in 2007/8 as a tool to provide local probation Trusts with quarterly data on trends in reoffending.

Chris Boyd, head of Rochdale Probation, said: “Greater Manchester Probation Trust is pleased with the results from today’s Ministry of Justice report on adult re-offending rates.

“Compared to the 2007-2008 results, re-offending rates have reduced by 3.26 per cent overall in the county, with significant decreases in Rochdale (-14.9), Bury (-9.09) and Oldham (-8.91).

“We work closely with partners, such as local councils and the police, to tackle re-offending and it is encouraging to see that our actions are having an effect.

“We are committed to reducing reoffending and of supporting those offenders who want to change to become productive members of the community.

“By working with our key partners we strive to ensure effective services are delivered and that we do all we can to drive down levels of crime so that the public is protected and we contribute towards improving the local area.

“We hope these positive results will seek to reassure the people of Rochdale that protecting the public from further offending is at the top of our agenda.”