A COMMUNITY programme helping violent criminals in Hampshire turn their lives around has been given a cash injection.

Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Hayes gave Baseline Training £52,000 from his Community Safety fund to set up the Violent Offender Intervention Programme (VOIP).

VOIP works with Hampshire Constabulary’s Public Protection Department, managing high-risk offenders and those leaving prison.

It specialises in getting the various agencies working to rehabilitate criminals and prevent them reoffending.

Rob Jarman, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, spent time shadowing Baseline Training’s programme director Jack Briggs to see VOIP in action.

Mr Jarman met some of the offenders who have benefitted from the programme and some of the agencies working with them.

He said: “I have enjoyed many meetings with offenders and practitioners currently working with Jack Briggs at Baseline.

“Through these, positive relationships have developed and what has become evident is the respect and trust between those on the programme and those who deliver it.

“It is also very clear that VOIP is fulfilling a vital role in supporting the most difficult and challenging individuals within society.

“We need more people like Jack Briggs with the drive, enthusiasm and commitment, who is making a real difference in assisting these offenders in breaking the cycle of their offending."