PROBATION workers walked the streets of Southampton to deliver their concerns over privatisation to the public.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight probation staff took part in a march organised by probation and family court services union, Napo, to protest at controversial changes proposed by Government.

They are concerned about plans to get private sector organisations and charities to take on more than 70 per cent of Probation Service duties.

And Tina Williams, cochairman of Napo’s Hampshire and Isle of Wight branch, said if Government was not willing to listen then they would consider a strike.

Around 30 people walked from the Bargate, up Above Bar Street for a rally in Guildhall Square, where a large billboard read: “Public protection not private profit, save probation – don’t let private security companies ruin your public probation service.”

Speeches were then given by Ms Williams, Napo’s general secretary Ian Lawrence with a message of support from Southampton councillor Keith Morrell.

Under the scheme, announced by Justice Secretary Chris Grayling, only the 30 per cent of offenders regarded as “high risk” will be dealt with by public sector probation officers.

The changes, which could be in place by the next General Election in 2015, would lead to 35 existing public probation trusts being scrapped and replaced with 21 Government companies which would tender out the supervision of medium and low risk offenders.

Ms Williams told those assembled that despite budget and staff cuts probation workers had still managed to maintain high standards and added this was one change too many that would be “devastating and dangerous for the public”.

She said: “We have worked to deliver an effective service that we believe in and as a thank you Grayling is pushing forward with his proposals that will enable private companies like G4S and Serco to bid for contacts worth an estimated £500m.

“We’re in this business because we truly believe that we can support people to make changes in their lives and reduce the chances of further crime being committed.

“We believe rehabilitation should stay in the hands of the professionals – us – and in the public sector, accountable to the public.

“Profit should not be made from crime and rehabilitation – it’s immoral.”

Afterwards, Ms Williams told the Daily Echo that the union’s priority was preserving public safety, but added that employment was an issue too as she said private companies will have to cut staff and reduce wages to make a profit.

She added that Napo was conducting an informal ballot on whether members would be willing to take industrial action and did not rule out a strike in the autumn.

Mr Lawrence called for Mr Grayling to resign, telling the Echo: “Quite frankly if he posits these proposals and forces them through he’s dismantling the probation service in a way that can never be repaired and that will pose massive risk to community safety.”