Meacher backs probation service’s tough role

OLDHAM West and Royton MP Michael Meacher has pledged his support in helping probation staff tackle offender behaviour.

The Labour MP visited Oldham probation service’s Rochdale Road office to learn more about its work to make communities safer. He heard about projects ranging from the supervision of female offenders in the borough through to the management of “high risk” criminals and restorative justice schemes.

Oldham has 82 probation staff at two sites, supervising over 700 offenders on community orders and 202 on prison licence.

Mr Meacher said: “It is partly down to the attitude of this country’s tabloid newspapers, but there is very little understanding of criminality and offending, or a serious desire to address it.

“I would love to do everything I can to help probation in its work of tackling offending behaviour.”

Sarah Jarvis, head of Oldham probation, said she was “delighted” at the visit. She said: “All who attended the meeting left with a real buzz. It was clear the MP has a lot of sympathy for the work probation carries out in Oldham.”