ORGANISATIONS in the region are "blazing a trail" in taking on powers from central government to deliver justice and reduce offending, according to interim mayor of Greater Manchester Tony Lloyd.

Mr Lloyd was speaking after Chancellor George Osborne announced that Greater Manchester will take on a larger role in managing criminal justice services.

This will include offender management services, plans for a new resettlement prison and potential rollout of sobriety bracelets, also known as ‘booze bangles’ which monitor whether people have been drinking, and GPS tagging for offenders.

The plans will be managed by the Justice and Rehabilitation Executive Board, led by Mr Lloyd.

The board will bring together police, probation, local authorities, prisons, NHS, the voluntary sector and other agencies to transform reoffending in tackled across the region.

Mr Lloyd said: "Greater Manchester is once again blazing a trail in taking power back from central government and giving it to local people, where it belongs.

"That we are now getting great control over justice and rehabilitation is good news for victims of crime and good news for our communities.

“But this work is not new. Thanks to our strong partnership working, we have already overhauled the way we work with female offenders to tackle reoffending and we are seeking to transform the youth justice system across Greater Manchester, focusing on the overall needs of young people to stop what can be seen as a conveyor belt to prison.

"So while I welcome the government’s confidence in our capability and commitment to deliver better services, I also challenge ministers to continue to work with us and ensure we have the resources to achieve our ambition."

The devolution plans also give Greater Manchester more involvement in the future of court buildings.

Mr Lloyd said: "While I welcome the opportunity to reshape the courts estate and the administration of local justice, I continue to press the Ministry of Justice to reverse their short-sighted decision to close courts across Greater Manchester.

"Devolution will give us a greater say on the future of our remaining courts, ensuring that local people have access to local justice, so remote decisions such as this will become a thing of the past."