A MAN with 335 offences to his name has become has committed just one since joining a crime-busting initiative.

Burnley Dordrecht Initiative targets persistent offenders and deters them from re-offending.

It is modelled on a similar scheme in the Dutch city of Dordrecht and was launched in the borough in 1997 with Government funding of £100,000 for the three-year scheme.

Of the 37 people who were taken on the initiative, 12 have completed the programme successfully with a further 20 still working on the initiative.

Burnley Council Community Safety Officer Graham Smyth said: "Considering that participants are very much in the category of extremely persistent offenders - a high risk and often unreliable group - this must be regarded as an achievement.

"We are coming at the problem from as many angles as we can think of, and we are excited to see this scheme beginning to make an impact."

The initiative links targeted police approaches to detection with a package of intensive supervision from the probation service which includes help with addiction and employment.

Mr Smyth said: "Put simply, it employs a carrot and stick approach, in which, faced by an increased risk of being caught in the future, offenders are encouraged - and given assistance to change their lifestyle."

The scheme is run by PC Ken Tyson and probation officer Shirley Johnson.

Mrs Johnson said: "An important job for both the police and probation service is to reduce crime. We are showing that there are definite benefits to be had in working together on this."

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