This Probation Service district service Solihull Metropolitan Borough, which comprises semi-rural villages in the east, a typically ‘suburban’ centre, and large areas of social housing in Chelmsley Wood and Kingshurst to the north.

Probation staff supervise offenders across the area and provide support to the Magistrates’ Court in Solihull.

In addition, there are specialist teams responsible for overseeing community punishment orders, drug treatment and testing orders, and programmes designed to help offenders alter the previous patterns of behaviour that got them into trouble.

Probation officers work closely with the Police and Prison Services on crime reduction initiatives. One scheme, for example, identifies offenders in prison who have previously committed a high number of property offences. Action is taken to try to ensure they are not tempted back into the same pattern of offending. This is coupled with a high level of police surveillance once they have been released.

There are also strong links with local voluntary organisations. In Solihull, Cascade and Aquarius offer drug and alcohol counselling services, while the Citizens’ Advice Bureau runs a weekly advice session for offenders at the Probation Service’s office in Chelmsley Wood.

Some probation staff are seconded to local Youth Offending Teams in Solihull. They also work with Area Child Protection Committees, Crime and Disorder Partnerships, Public Protection Panels, Drug Action Teams and Leaarning and Skills Councils.

The many links between the Probation Service and other organisations throughout the area reflect the reality that effective crime reduction and public protection require joint action.