NORTH Yorkshire's probation service chiefs have praised staff for their work to reduce crime and protect victims of crime.

An annual report prepared by the county's probation bosses for the Government said the service was going from strength to strength.

In 2004/05, probation officers helped offenders carry out more than 85,000 hours of unpaid work.

Officers also oversaw the start of more than 800 community punishment orders, 700 community rehabilitation orders and 220 community punishment and rehabilitation orders.

The report identifies how North Yorkshire's probation service performed last year against the priorities and targets set for it by the Government.

Roz Brown, North Yorkshire Probation's chief officer, said: "We are very proud of the work undertaken by our staff, who are highly committed and highly skilled.

"We take pride in the way we have demonstrated that our work reduces crime and protects the victims of crime.

"Our work makes a real difference to the lives of the public in North Yorkshire - it is important work and we do it well.

"We are particularly proud of the fact that our performance levels are high, and a recent inspection carried out by her Majesty's Inspectors of Probation concluded that North Yorkshire is a well-led organisation."

Community punishment projects carried out by offenders ranged from renovating old buildings, constructing play areas in schools, to the provision of luncheon clubs for the elderly.

More than 97 per cent of offenders on community punishment orders started their first session within ten days.

Last year, staff also supervised 370 offenders following their release from prison.

The report is the fourth published since North Yorkshire became one of the 42 areas to form the National Probation Service.

Bosses say that during the past 12 months, the service continued to build on its good relationship with the police, particularly in relation to the management and monitoring of dangerous offenders.

Officers also worked with local housing associations, training providers and crime reduction initiatives.

In addition to meeting key targets, North Yorkshire probation service also continued its accredited programmes for offenders, designed to change the way offenders think and, consequently, how they behave.