A FIFTH of Bolton’s criminals go on to reoffend within the space of a year.

Figures from the Ministry of Justice show that 1,228 adults were released from prison, cautioned or handed a non-custodial conviction at court between July 2019 and June 2020 in Bolton.

Of them, 266 - 21.7 per cent - committed at least one further crime within 12 months.

However, the MoJ warned that some prolific criminals might appear multiple times in the figures for one year if they repeatedly reoffend, which could lead to an increase in reoffending rates.

It added there might be more volatility in the data because of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the criminal justice system.

A Government spokeswoman said: “Reducing reoffending is one of our top priorities which is why an extra £550 million will be invested over the next three years to rehabilitate offenders and protect the public.

“We’re also spending £400m to tackle economic crime and developing a new strategy to clampdown on the devastating impact fraud can have on victims.”