Home Office Good Practice Seminars
Prolific & other priority offenders seminar
Workshops - 1 December
Workshop 1
Rehabilitating and resettling offenders in East Manchester
(Lance Thomas, Greater Manchester Police, Project Manager EMBRACE)
Key points from the discussion
Did funding specifically provide a police analyst?
No, funding was sought from NDC monies.
How will EMBRACE link with POPO?
EMBRACE was set-up in 2001 to target prolific offenders and has at times nearly been 'swallowed' by other initiatives, which have covered a wider area/remit. It has managed to stay independent because of its tight focus on the Openshaw community.
How have you got the scheme message across?
Initially difficult to sell the idea internally to police colleagues, as they were sceptical. The results of the project began to win people over (e.g. one burglar had committed 72 burglaries and the project in targeting him saved approximately 160 police hours).
Do you agree that the police are not always the best people to challenge the underlying causal crime factors?
Yes, EMBRACE was about partnership working e.g. drugs, probation and education.
How was EMBRACE funded initially?
Initially via NDC monies but now the project can run on a very small budget as it has proved its worth.
Was there a need to change police and residents' attitudes?
Yes the police especially difficult to get them to reduce the pressure on some offenders. Bit of a hearts and minds job all around really.
Will EMBRACE have to change to fit with the 3 POPO strands?
Actually the Home Office has learnt from schemes like EMBRACE especially with its emphasis on localised problems.
How does it feel being both the carrot and stick?
Difficult at times - you need good inter-personal skills with both offenders and colleagues.
Do you take an interest in those that go to prison?
Yes we track their progress and work with them as soon as they come out. We see the need in continuing contact at all stages.
How is the scheme managed?
It has a normal chain of command ending with the Chief Superintendent of the division, but on a day to day basis there are three PC's in charge of the three areas that make up EMBRACE.
Download: Rehabilitating and resettling offenders in East Manchester (PowerPoint presentation) 22,528 Kb Warning: large file
Last update: 18 May 2005