A SCHEME aimed at cutting the number of convicted criminals reoffending in the county has been branded a success.

There are 82 Oxfordshire criminals on the Integrated Offender Management scheme, run by Thames Valley Police.

The force says as a result of the initiative, arrests of those taking part has fallen 54 per cent in the first six months of the year compared to the same period last year.

It estimates this has reduced the cost of crimes they commit by £144,120.

The aim of the project is to manage the small amount of offenders who cause a disproportionate amount of crime. This includes supporting the probation service and other agencies in securing housing, employment, or help with drug and alcohol addiction, in the hoping of reducing their offending.

The criminals in the scheme are closely monitored and if they do not take up the support and commit crime they are arrested and taken to prison.

Ch Insp Jason Purnell, Thames Valley Police lead for IOM, said: “By tackling the problems which cause an individual to offend, their need to commit crime is often removed and their reoffending reduces as a result.

“IOM can make a real difference to reducing offending in our communities and I am pleased with the results the team has had so far this year.”

Thames Valley Police refused to provide a list of those participating in the scheme.