Press release archive

2008

MAPPA MONITORS RECORD NUMBER OF OFFENDERS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC IN WEST MERCIA
A multi-agency approach to managing dangerous offenders in the community in West Mercia is ensuring the public is protected from more offenders than ever according to new figures published today.
21/10/08
MAPPA Monitor Numbers 51K


Ex drug offenders prepare for Royal visit
A group of ex drug using offenders prepare to meet the Princess Royal in September when she visits a project they are involved in as part of their community orders.
11/09/08
Ex drug offenders prepare for Royal visit PDF22K


Justice Minister Visits ‘Offender Compact’ Pilots in Shropshire
Justice Minister David Hanson MP was in Shropshire today to meet with offenders in Shrewsbury Prison and those being supervised on probation by West Mercia Probation Trust who have signed up to new ‘Offender Compacts’ being piloted in the area.
11/09/08
Justice Minister Visit PDF19K


Redditch clean up
Neglected areas of Redditch are to be cleared up in a joint venture between the police and probation service.
Redditch clean up PDF74K


West Mercia Probation Trust
Chief Executive, David Chantler and local Board Member, Libhin Bromley, visited Herefordshire Probation Office on Friday to congratulate the team on achieving all 15 of its targets for 2007-2008
28/07/08
Herefordshire – simply the best! PDF66K


Offenders construct garden for local residents
Offenders serving community orders have worked for over four months to construct a new garden from scratch at the Warndon Community Centre. The garden will be officially opened to centre users this weekend.
24/07/08
Offenders construct garden for local residents PDF69K


Rehabilitation versus Punishment – Judge for Yourself
An innovative on-line programme in which members of the public can decide what they think is the most suitable sentence for virtual offenders was launched by Justice Minister David Hanson MP today as a new poll shows the public think reforming offenders to cut re-offending is equally as important as punishment.
01/07/08
Rehabilitation versus Punishment – Judge for Yourself PDF90K


3 star rating for new Probation Trust
West Mercia Probation Trust has been commended for achieving a 3 star performance rating.
30/06/08
3 star rating for new Probation Trust PDF66K


Award for team offering employment advice to offenders
A team of probation workers that help offenders get into employment and training won the prestigious High Sheriffs’ award for the significant contribution they have made over the last year.
30/06/08
Award for team offering employment advice to offenders PDF77K


Offenders construct prize winning garden
A group of offenders on community orders helped to construct a prize winning Celtic garden at the Malvern Spring Gardening Show last weekend.
13/05/08
Ofenders construct prize winning garden PDF68K


New Probation Trust consults
Following its launch on 1 April, the new West Mercia Probation Trust is consulting with key stakeholders in the community about working together to tackle crime locally. 24/04/08
New Probation Trust consults PDF68K


Offenders help restore Redditch garages
Offenders performing unpaid work as part of their community orders have been working with the Council and Probation Service to restore garages in the Woodrow area of Redditch.
18/04/08
Offenders help restore Redditch garages PDF100K


Ross CC undertakes annual makeover
This weekend and for the fourth year in succession, Ross CC energetically embraced the England and Wales Cricket Board’s NatWest Cricketforce challenge – a national initiative which encourages cricket supporters, their friends and families to give something back to their local community cricket club by volunteering to undertake major renovations to clubhouses and grounds.
16/04/08
Ross CC undertakes annual makeove PDF53K


Local author launches new Probation Trust
Probation staff at Kidderminster were today celebrating the launch of the new West Mercia Probation Trust. Mark Johnson, ex-offender from Kidderminster and now best selling author of ‘Wasted’, was invited to join the celebrations and cut the official Trust cake.
27/03/08
Local author launches new Probation Trust. PDF106K


Boxing Champ punches a positive message to offenders
Former World Champion boxer, Richie Woodall, presented certificates to a group of Telford offenders last night, who successfully completed a sports project as part of their community orders.
05/03/08
Boxing Champ punches a positive message to offenders PDF166K


Wychavon District Council is working hard to get allotments in Evesham cleared and back in use
In partnership with Rooftop Housing, Evesham Town Council and The Probation Service, Evesham Allotments will soon be cleared of the fly-tipped rubbish and returned to a green and growable state once more..
04/03/08
Wychavon District Council PDF69K



2007

Publication of Reports on the Management of Serious Offenders Reports into the management of offenders under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) are being published today (22 October). MAPPA enables the responsible authorities (police, prisons, and probation) to identify and manage offenders in the community through the sharing of information and expertise.
22/10/07
Publication of Reports on the Management of Serious Offenders PDF24K

Independence for West Mercia Probation Area
The success of West Mercia Probation Area 1 has been recognised by the Government who has today announced that West Mercia is to be one of the first wave of independent Probation Trusts 2 which will come into operation with effect from 1 April 2008 .
14/08/2007
Independence for West Mercia Probation Area.PDF22k

Offenders help clear up after floods
Offenders performing unpaid work as part of their community orders have been helping to clear up after the floods in Upton-on-Severn .
02/07/2007
Offenders help clear up after floodsPDF22k

Offenders pay back the planet. Offenders on community sentences will be made to pay back the planet as well as the community in a new drive to increase the number of unpaid work projects that reduce climate change and benefit the environment
26/06/07
Offenders pay back the planet.PDF14k

Sports scheme promotes healthy lifestyle for offenders Offenders in Telford with a history of drug misuse are seeking a healthier lifestyle through a new sporting activities scheme.
26/06/07
Sports scheme promotes healthy lifestyle for offenders PDF21k

Offenders help construct straw house for Green Festival Offenders performing unpaid work as part of their community orders have been helping to construct a straw house ready for Ludlow ’s Green Festival this weekend.
21/05/07
Offenders help construct straw house for Green Festival PDF 21k


New ministry of justice "focused on public", says Falconer. The new Ministry of Justice, launched today, will focus fully on improving the justice system for the public, according to the new Secretary of State for Justice. Lord Falconer, the Lord Chancellor and first Secretary of State for Justice, said the new department – responsible for courts, prisons, probation and constitutional affairs – exists for one purpose and one purpose only – to improve the justice system.
09/05/07
New ministry of justice "focused on public", says falconer PDF 28k

Newly qualified Probation Officers join the fight against crime
Thirteen newly qualified probation officers have been taken on by West Mercia Probation to join the fight against crime. Since qualifying the new recruits have taken up post at offices in Worcester , Hereford , Kidderminster , Shrewsbury and Telford
04/05/07
Newly qualified Probation Officers join the fight against crime PDF 21k

2005

COMMUNITY PAYBACK

Your chance to choose how offenders pay back for their crimes

LOCAL people are being given the chance to influence how offenders pay communities back for the crimes they have committed.

Community Payback, a scheme launched today by West Mercia Probation Area, will let the people of West Mercia choose the type of unpaid work done by offenders serving a community order.

Projects range from work in charity shops and day centres to canal restoration, church yard maintenance and bringing derelict areas back into use.
26/11/05
Community Payback Launch Hereford 21k
Community Payback Launch Kidderminster 21k
Community Payback Launch Telford 21k
Community Payback Launch Worcester 21k


PUBLIC PROTECTION ARRANGEMENTS WORKING TO DEFEND COMMUNITIES

West Mercia Assistant Chief Probation Officer, Julie Masters, today welcomed the publication of the area’s Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) report.
This is the fourth year in which annual reports by the 42 responsible areas in England and Wales have been published. They highlight the work undertaken by MAPPA to protect communities from the risk posed by dangerous offenders.
17/10/05

download 30kb
For a copy of the MAPPA report click icon 703kb



Presentation to newly qualified Probation Officers
West Mercia Probation is holding a Diploma Presentation evening to present certificates to 21 newly qualified
Probation Officers in the area. Patricia Bradbury, MBE, JP
and Chair of the West Mercia Probation Board will be
making the presentations.
19/05/2005
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Management of Offenders and Sentencing Bill strengthens correctional services and puts sense into sentencing
13/01/2005
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2004

Party in Pink for Cancer Research UKWorkers at West
Mercia Probation are getting ready to party in pink
tomorrow to raise money for Cancer Research UK .
14/12/04
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COMMUNITY SENTENCES - TOUGHER THAN YOU THINK
A new ICM poll reveals that people in the West of Midlands region* underestimate the severity of community sentences and are unaware of the benefits this type of sentence can offer to their local community
December04
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Presentation to celebrate offenders’ success
A presentation is being held on Tuesday 16 November at Worcester probation office to celebrate the success of four offenders who have achieved a Certificate in Adult Numeracy or Literacy at either level one or level two.
15 November
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INSIDE JUSTICE WEEK Involving Our Communities in the Criminal Justice System The first ever ‘Inside Justice Week’ is about to begin in West Mercia – offering an exciting new insight into how the Criminal Justice System works.
October 24
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NINETEEN OFFICERS LAUNCH THEIR CAREERS WITH WEST MERCIA PROBATION

As 19 newly qualified probation officers launch their careers with West Mercia Probation, 41 trainees are either in the first or second year of training with a view to taking up positions in Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire or Telford and Wrekin. The final group of trainees will finish their training this year at Birmingham University. De Montfort University, Leicester, is taking over the training
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9/01/04

WEST MERCIA PROBATION ADVISES THE ARCHERS

West Mercia Probation is closely monitoring the future of a character in one of radio's best-known series.For probation has played a major role in
The Archers' story of Ed Grundy who was placed on a community punishment and rehabilitation order for stealing tools from farms.
He's serving a sentence which requires him to attend an 'Enhanced Thinking Skills' programme designed to challenge attitude and behaviour and reduce offending. The 45-hour programme runs over three months.
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15/01/04

2003

WEST MERCIA GETS SET FOR ITS SHREWSBURY MOVE
West Mercia Probation has announced the date of its move from Quarry Place to Abbey Foregate in Shrewsbury.

Probation's 25 members of staff will clear their desks at Quarry Place on January 16 in readiness for sitting at their new work stations in an open plan environment at 135 Abbey Foregate on January 19.
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13/12/03

PROBATION PLEDGE STRONG LINKS WITH COMMUNITY STRATEGY GROUPS
A priority for the new probation area manager for south Worcestershire is to forge strong links with community strategy groups.
Avril Gilmore, who has switched from West Mercia Probation's north Worcestershire area to a new role in the south of the county, is developing the area management structure through which she will be the main link with these groups.
She is linking up with the Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership, Worcestershire Substance Misuse Action Team, Support People Strategy Group and West Mercia Police.
She describes them as the main community agents and said her links with the police specifically related to public protection."We are further developing links with the Youth Support Service based in Droitwich", she announced."We have entered a partnership with the Youth Support Service for the delivery of our Intensive Control and Charge Programme."The new Criminal Justice Bill, which it is anticipated will be enacted later in the year, will include changes to the conditions of some orders and we shall be using our close working links with the courts to put these into practice in south Worcestershire."We are also developing Enhanced Community Punishment supervision and linking with local communities to find new projects which will benefit local residents."Anyone who thinks they have a project we could assist with can contact Ian Windows-Yule, community punishment unit manager on 01905 723591", added Avril.23/11/2003

PROBATION PLEDGE STRONG LINKS WITH COMMUNITY STRATEGY GROUPS
A priority for the new probation area manager for south Worcestershire is to forge strong links with community strategy groups.Avril Gilmore, who has switched from West Mercia Probation's north Worcestershire area to a new role in the south of the county, is developing the area management structure through which she will be the main link with these groups.She is linking up with the Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership, Worcestershire Substance Misuse Action Team, Support People Strategy Group and West Mercia Police.She describes them as the main community agents and said her links with the police specifically related to public protection."We are further developing links with the Youth Support Service based in Droitwich", she announced."We have entered a partnership with the Youth Support Service for the delivery of our Intensive Control and Charge Programme."The new Criminal Justice Bill, which it is anticipated will be enacted later in the year, will include changes to the conditions of some orders and we shall be using our close working links with the courts to put these into practice in south Worcestershire."We are also developing Enhanced Community Punishment supervision and linking with local communities to find new projects which will benefit local residents."Anyone who thinks they have a project we could assist with can contact Ian Windows-Yule, community punishment unit manager on 01905 723591", added Avril.
24/11/2003


The High Sheriff of Herefordshire and Worcestershire has congratulated West Mercia Probation - which comprises the two counties and Shropshire - on winning a top regional award.
West Mercia Probation is Midlands Equal Opportunities Employer of the Year 2003 and on officially opening the new Hereford Probation Office High Sheriff Georgina Britten-Long described the award as a 'huge tribute' to the whole service.
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19/11/2003

WEST MERCIA PROBATION DRIVES NEW ENHANCED COMMUNITY PUNISHMENT ORDER
West Mercia Probation's enhanced community punishment scheme, which has undergone a complete revamp, was signed off by the National Directorate - a month ahead of its implementation.
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6/11/2003

END OF AN ERA FOR PROBATION IN TOWN
It will be the end of an era when the Shrewsbury office of West Mercia Probation moves into new purpose-built accommodation in a few months' time.For the move will bring to an end 40 years of operating from their current base at Quarry Place in Shrewsbury.The probation offices previous to that were also in the town centre, but from the early part of next year it will be a break with tradition when West Mercia Probation will be switching their activities into one of the suburbs and closer to the courts.The spacious new purpose-built offices will house 40 members of staff as well as providing facilities for conferences, group meetings and offender programmes."The new offices will more meet the needs of a modern probation service", said John Warren, joint manager with Jane Gaffney."The open plan environment will better suit the new structure of the service both now and in the longer term. Unlike Quarry Place, the design takes into account the housing of all our various teams, who range from supervision and drug officers to court, community punishment and programmes unit."There will be space to be able to work more effectively with individual offenders", he added.Jane said the new West Mercia Probation office will have accommodation on two floors as well as a basement area."As much as Quarry Place has been probation's home for some 40 years, it wasn't purpose-built and I am sure we shall soon experience the many benefits of a move into a modern setting".The Shrewsbury office of West Mercia Probation also looks after the interests of the county's rural areas.
30/10/2003

Triple whammy for crime reduction in West Mercia
Three major crime reduction initiatives will be launched by West Mercia Probation on 20 September, to over 200 key magistrates and legal advisers from across the area.
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06/09/03

FIRST ALL-WOMEN'S ENHANCED THINKING SKILLS PROGRAMME
The West Mercia Probation has launched its first 'Enhanced Thinking Skills' programme for women offenders which West Mercia Probation will be running.
West Mercia Probation works closely with Asha, a women's centre in Worcester, which provides a crèche as well as a networking facility for women who need support
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28/07/03

PROBATION 'OVER PERFORMS' IN WAR ON DRUG RELATED CRIME
West Mercia Probation is continuing to increase its performance in the supervision of drug treatment testing orders - described as the 'mainstay' in the war against drug related crime.
Chief Officer Mr. David Chantler announced to West Mercia Probation Board that in the last 12 months the service had achieved 120% of target on drug treatment testing orders.
In the previous year - which was the first full year of the orders - West Mercia Probation were 98% of target.
Said Mr. Chantler: "Drugs policies continue to be a government priority and the drug treatment testing order is seen very much as a mainstay in the war on drug related crime.
"The way the service has over performed on drug treatment testing orders is a major contribution to community safety in West Mercia and a very encouraging sign for the future".
West Mercia Probation's performance figures are for the whole of its area which is Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire.
28/07/03

JOBS BOOST
A key part of the criminal justice system is set for a jobs boost.
West Mercia Probation is currently recruiting 18 trainee probation officers to begin their two years of training in October.
The latest batch of trainees will be recruited to the service in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire.
After two years of expansion, West Mercia Probation was expecting to return to normal levels of recruitment which would have been seven new trainees in 2003.
However, the service has been informed by the Home Office that high levels of recruitment will be sustained and a further 18 trainees are to be taken on.
Said West Mercia Probation's Chief Officer Mr. David Chantler: "In addition to advertising widely, we have focused on minority ethnic communities through a radio station that serves the region.
"We are currently appointing 18 trainees which reflects the demands the government is making for increased supervision of offenders in the community.
"The Criminal Justice Bill, which is expected to have Royal assent in October, will bring in new community sentencing".
28/07/03

PERFORM ABOVE TARGET IN WAR AGAINST DRUG RELATED CRIME
New figures released by West Mercia Probation - covering Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire - show that the area is strongly challenging drug related crime.
West Mercia Probation's drug treatment and testing orders currently stand at a 120% performance achievement based on government targets.
Chief Officer David Chantler said drug issues were a government priority and drug treatment and testing orders were seen very much as a 'war' on drug related crime.
"Having the ability to over-perform in this way is a major contribution to community safety in West Mercia", said Mr. Chantler.
"The board of West Mercia Probation considers that the 120% performance achievement on drug treatment and testing orders is highly encouraging and in our area will continue to be a mainstay of reducing drug related crime in the counties of Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire.
"The performance achievement is a very encouraging sign for the future of fighting crime in West Mercia", he added.
West Mercia Probation's 120% figure for the year tops the 98% achievement of target in the first year, 2001-2002, following the introduction of drug treatment and testing orders
28/07/03

LINDA'S PERFORMANCE WINS HIGH SHERIFFS' AWARD
The High Sheriffs of Herefordshire and Worcestershire and Shropshire have given Linda Smith the biggest accolade she has ever received.High Sheriffs Georgina Long and Julian Morgan decided their West Mercia Probation prestigious award for 2003 should go to Linda who 'performed over and above the call of duty' in the past year.The popular IT business development manager, who was nominated by her colleagues, was rapturously applauded when she was presented with the award at West Mercia Probation's second annual staff conference.A new shield, donated by last year's High Sheriff of Shropshire Mr. Nick Bishop, was presented to Linda by West Mercia Probation's Chair Trish Bradbury.To win the High Sheriffs' award, she was placed above no fewer than six runners-up who were presented with certificates to mark their own achievements in the contest.
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23/05/03

LONG-SERVING PROBATION AWARDS REFLECT 'CONSISTENCY'No fewer than 19 members of staff of West Mercia Probation - which covers Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire - have received 20 year long service awards.These were presented by West Mercia Probation Chair Tricia Bradbury at the annual staff conference.She said the awards reflected 'consistency and continuity' recognised as beneficial to a 'healthy probation service'.Each recipient received a certificate and would be able to choose a gift up to the value of £200 in recognition of their 20 years in the profession.
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23/05/03

WEST MERCIA PROBATION WINS £1 MILLION BID TO SUPERVISE YOUNG OFFENDERSA
£1 million national bid for a major initiative to tackle the problem of persistent offenders has been won by Mercia Mercia Probation. The money will be spread over the next 18 months."The success of West Mercia Probation's bid from amongst probation areas in the country brings significant new funding to Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire", said Chief Officer Mr. David Chantler.The scheme will allow for the intensive supervision by the probation service of young adult offenders aged 18 to 21 who would otherwise have gone to prison."A key to the scheme", said Mr. Chantler, "is the supervision of young offenders through electronic monitoring using tags combined with intensive levels of supervision to make sure the community is properly protected.
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23/05/03

BOARD MEMBERS PRAISE CONFERENCE ORGANISATION
Staff of West Mercia Probation were highly praised by members attending a recent board meeting for their organisation of a recent staff conference.
The conference held at the Ramada Hotel, Kidderminster was attended by 250 staff and board members attending were impressed with the excellent content and the arrangements for the day.
Said David Chantler: "The feedback we have received has been particularly good and I would like to thank all staff and especially Jackie Bell for the hard work put in to ensure that the conference went without a hitch.
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23/05/03

WEST MERCIA PROBATION SPLITS ITS MARCHES AREA
The 'remarkable' growth of rural Shropshire has led to West Mercia Probation dividing its huge Marches area - which has also included rural Herefordshire - into two parts.
The split has resulted in Mr. Paul Baker, formerly manager of West Mercia Probation's Marches division, becoming area manager with sole responsibility for Shropshire.
Said West Mercia Probation's Chief Officer Mr. David Chantler: "Shropshire's growth in the service has been remarkable and it has now become necessary to separate the two Marches rural counties of Shropshire and Herefordshire.
"Paul Baker will concentrate on Shropshire and will continue to be based in our Leominster office prior to re-locating to Shrewsbury when our new office is completed later in the year".
Mr. Baker said that he and his colleague Mrs. Pam Pimpernell, who under the split will be area manager for Herefordshire, would work closely together to ensure the 'rural voice' continued to be maintained under the new arrangements.
23/04/03
PROBATION BUDGET 'ABSOLUTELY ON TARGET'
West Mercia Probation Board, which covers Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire, balanced its budget at the end of its second financial year.
Treasurer to the board Mr. Mike Weaver presented a statement to the final meeting for the 2002-3 financial year which showed that West Mercia Probation neither over spent nor under spent on its £10 million budget."The year's business has been completed absolutely on target", said Mr. Weaver.
23/04/03

WEST MERCIA PROBATION SPLITS ITS MARCHES AREA
The 'remarkable' growth of rural Shropshire has led to West Mercia Probation dividing its huge Marches area - which has also included rural Herefordshire - into two parts.
The split has resulted in Mr. Paul Baker, formerly manager of West Mercia Probation's Marches division, becoming area manager with sole responsibility for Shropshire.
Said West Mercia Probation's Chief Officer Mr. David Chantler: "Shropshire's growth in the service has been remarkable and it has now become necessary to separate the two Marches rural counties of Shropshire and Herefordshire.
"Paul Baker will concentrate on Shropshire and will continue to be based in our Leominster office prior to re-locating to Shrewsbury when our new office is completed later in the year".
Mr. Baker said that he and his colleague Mrs. Pam Pimpernell, who under the split will be area manager for Herefordshire, would work closely together to ensure the 'rural voice' continued to be maintained under the new arrangements.
23/04/03

WEST MERCIA PROBATION SPEARHEADS £2.4M OF EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUNDING. The West Midlands Probation Region has been awarded £2.4 million for the next two years following a successful European bid made on its behalf by West Mercia Probation whose area covers Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Telford and Wrekin
02/04/03
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PROBATION SERVICE'S TWO YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENTS. A successful bid for European Social Fund money - which could rise to as much as £3.6 million in its third year - is listed as one of a number of achievements since West Mercia Probation was formed exactly two years' ago.
02/04/03
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'THE HEART OF THE DANCE' COMES TELFORD. West Mercia Probation has launched a major recruitment drive for the whole of its area which covers Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin.
02/04/03
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WEST MERCIA PROBATION'S NEW 'JEWEL IN THE CROWN. The 'jewel in the crown' - that's how West Mercia Probaton's Chief Officer Mr. David Chantler has described the successful bid for funding to tackle persistent young adult offenders.
02/04/03
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