WEST Mercia Probation Trust has achieved some of the highest marks in the country for quality in an independent inspection.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation marked the trust in three areas – protecting the public, reducing reoffending and ensuring offenders carry out their sentences. It judged West Mercia to be above average in all areas after examining a sample of cases.

The trust protected the public to a sufficiently high level of quality 82% of the time, recorded reduced reoffending to a high level 81% of the time and enforced sentences to a high level 83% of the time.

David Chantler, chief executive officer of West Mercia Probation Trust, said: “To have accomplished this level of performance at a time when cuts are really beginning to bite demonstrates the calibre and commitment of our staff.”

He added: “The consultation period for the Government probation review has just come to an end. We have made pleas in our response that this high level of achievement is not swept away through the creation of large ‘super trusts’, as canvassed in the consultation document.”

The inspectorate acknowledged the trust for developing partnerships in the community to support offenders and matching it with a strong commitment to public protection.

Read the full article on the Shuttle website.