HARTLEPOOL’S mayor is urging organisations to offer offenders a fresh start in life while paying for their crimes.

Stuart Drummond has joined forces with the National Probation Service Teesside to promote personal placements.

The placements enable offenders to learn new skills and gain valuable work experience while doing unpaid work for charities, voluntary organisations and sporting associations.

Mr Drummond met up with representatives of the National Probation Service Teesside at Hartlepool Rugby Club, in Easington Road, where a team of offenders has been carrying out a range of environmental improvement works.

He said: "Club officials have told me how pleased they are with the work carried out so far by the group of offenders.

"I am keen to endorse the concept of personal placements and would actively encourage other local organisations to get involved and reap the benefits.

"Hartlepool Council has developed a strong working relationship with National Probation Service Teesside in recent years and this new initiative will enable us to build on what we have already achieved.

"It is important that punishment is seen to fit offenders’ crimes, but I also believe that offenders who genuinely want to change their ways and make a fresh start should be supported to do so."

Organisations keen to explore the possibility of providing work placements for offenders can contact Sharon Barnett or Gordon Wooding at the National Probation Service Teesside’s unpaid work unit on 01642-515315.