Re-nationalisation of probation service welcomed by police boss

Dr Alan Billings said: “It is hard to resist saying: ‘We told you so’. When the Government decided to break the service in two, with high level offenders coming under the National Probation Service, and lower level under the Community Rehabilitation Companies, nobody thought it was a good idea.

“Police and crime commissioners warned that it potentially put the public at risk, and this has turned out to be true.”

One issue was with lower-level criminals who went on to commit more serious crimes.

Dr Billings (above) said he had no criticism for the community rehab companies but the model was flawed.

And he added: “They were faced with the almost impossible task of recruiting and training big numbers of new staff in a very short period of time. 

“And payment by results was a disastrous method of funding such an important service.”

Justice secretary David Gauke told the BBC that he recognised the system was not working — but said there would still be a role for private companies and charities.