FEMALE criminals who pose no threat to the public should not be jailed, experts in Bolton say.

New figures reveal that more than 80 per cent of convicted women in Bolton successfully completed community orders in January.

The Cheshire & Greater Manchester Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) in Bolton dealt with 56 women that month and a further four on prison licences.

Most are referred to the Women’s Supervision Centre, in the UCAN centre, in Hatfield Road, which plays a key role in the borough’s above-average performance.

In Bolton, 83 per cent of female criminals completed orders, compared with 78 per cent nationally.

In addition, every single woman who was there on licence from prison completed the programme.

Probation staff Bernie Warburton, Debbie McGee and Rachel Devine, together with Sue Brindle, from Eve’s Space, run the centre.

Mrs Warburton said: “Managing risk and protecting the public is paramount, but women have different needs to male offenders and if you can properly address them you can see dramatic progress.

“Most of the work requires creativity, working with partner agencies, because the women are themselves often vulnerable, may have drug and alcohol issues, and may be victims of crimes such as domestic abuse. After throwing childcare into the mix, it creates a challenge.

“But if you get the balance right, working with women successfully in the community reduces their risk, stops them from reoffending and is to everyone’s benefit.”

The centre delivers services including mental health, drug cessation, domestic abuse support and education, and provides a women-only environment.

Mrs Brindle, from Urban Outreach's Eve’s Space project, helps ensure women maintain their conviction to not re-offend.

The majority of Eve’s Space’s referrals come via probation but some are referred by police, in their bid to divert women in custody from the criminal justice system so they can get support before getting a criminal conviction.

Mrs Brindle said: “Short term prison sentences cause so much damage — in terms of tenancies and breaking up families — so the fact ourselves, probation and police are working hard to avoid those sentences is a great step forward.”

Police and crime commissioner Tony Lloyd said: "The majority of women offenders pose no threat to the public, and putting them in short-term custody doesn’t help rehabilitate them or address the motivations for their behaviour.

"Ultimately, it can do more harm than good, particularly in the case of those offenders with children.

“Many women who end up in prison are themselves victims of crimes, such as domestic violence and sexual abuse. Some have problems with mental health, substance abuse or alcohol abuse."