A NEW project designed to help women offenders in Pendle turn their lives around has been hailed a success.

Probation officers are focusing on providing more meaningful alternatives to custody for problem cases in Nelson, Colne and West Craven.

And it is hoped that once the effects of anti-social behaviour are understood, and issues such as homelessness, substance misuse and domestic violence addressed, reoffending rates will be reduced.

The first few dozen women have taken part in the women’s programme at the Manchester Road offices of the probation service in Nelson.

Kate Fryer, a probation officer, came up with the initiative, which takes place over eight sessions and has input from a variety of agencies.

She said: “We hope that this programme will be the first step in Pendle towards making more options available in the sentencing of women, and options that are more appropriate to their own needs, which are often quite complex.”

Similar work is carried out by probation staff in Blackburn, Accrington and Blackpool but this is the first time the approach has been employed in the far east of the county.

Karen Fitzpatrick, an anti-social behaviour officer with Lancashire Police, has addressed initial groups to detail how they could address their own attitudes and believes the work is important.

And Karen Carter, a senior case worker for women’s centres in Blackburn and Accrington, said: “Not unlike Nelson, women’s projects across the country are in their infancy yet have already helped many women begin to make positive changes.

“It is important, not only to the women, but to their children, families and communities that these projects continue to provide services and support to help reduce the possibility of reoffending.”