PROBATION staff on Teesside have been praised in an annual report for working with drug-addicted offenders.

A report into the service on Teesside shows that more than 7,000 cases were dealt with by probation offices in the past year, an 11 per cent increase on the previous 12 months.

The report by Her Majesty's inspectors revealed an above average performance by probation staff in Teesside for a below average cost.

Chief probation officer Roger Statham said: "Teesside is one of the most challenging probation areas in the country in terms of poverty, unemployment, opportunity and drug addiction.

"Offenders' behaviour is constantly challenged by probation staff who work with them in a number of ways to plan and build crime-free futures.

"The service is realistic about the backgrounds and experiences of many offenders, which lead them to have little belief that there are opportunities for them.

"It ensures partnerships with specialist agencies are set up for employment and training support, advice on managing debt and benefits and drug and alcohol addictions."

The report, which will go to Home Secretary Jack Straw, contains the personal accounts of two offenders who were addicted to heroin, and the story of a murderer released from prison after 25 years.