IT’S a hard life, being a probation officer. For the most part, you are trying desperately to help people who, more often than not, don’t seem to even want to help themselves.

Added to that, for victims of crime and the public in general, probation is often regarded as a dirty word.

Many may think offenders should get prison terms instead of community sentences which, in some cases, simply require them to turn up for a series of meetings.

All things considered, it’s no wonder that Bill Puddicombe, chairman of the newly-established Essex Probation Trust, freely admits to doubts as to whether he could cut it on the frontline.

He said: “It takes an exceptional bunch of skills and personal qualities to be a probation officer.

“I’ve never done it, and I’m not sure I’d have the patience or empathy you need to do the job.”

The Gazette interviewed Mr Puddicombe as the county’s probation officers embark on a new era.

On the face of it, little has changed, as the name of the new trust is almost the same as the former Essex Probation Service.

Mr Puddicombe chaired the old organisation, so it is more a case of a smooth transition than a radical departure from what went before.

However, bosses hope the creation of the trust, which has about 500 staff, will give them scope to make noticeable improvements to the service provided to both criminals and their victims.

Mr Puddicombe said: “The trust will be more an organisation for the local area because it is designed around local units for particular communities.

“Colchester and Tendring is one unit and there are five others along the same boundaries as the court service uses.

“What we are looking to do is to design whatever we do for local communities to reflect their needs.”

Greater independence should allow the trust to target resources and staff time at the most urgent problems facing their areas.

For example, finding available accommodation for offenders is a constant headache in the Colchester area, so there are plans to work more closely with council chiefs and housing associations.

Also, officers are particularly concerned alcohol abuse is an underlying factor in thousands of cases, from domestic violence to theft.

They will put their efforts into programmes to help heavy drinkers in a bid to stop them reoffending, helped by NHS primary care trusts and voluntary organisations.

Despite the merits of what is planned, many will be asking, why are we spending money on helping criminals who deserve to be punished for their crimes?

Mr Puddicombe answers: “I think we often ask the public the wrong question. If someone has been a victim of vandalism, for example, we ask them if they think the perpetrator should go to prison? Most people would probably say yes.

“If we explain we know the person will be much less likely to offend if we provide them with a community sentence, which includes training, plus a requirement to make sure they are where they say they are going to be, people might then think that’s the better idea.”

He added: “That’s our bread and butter, making sure we are constantly supervising people who are sent by the courts and providing a whole bunch of services to make sure they are less likely to commit another crime.”

Official statistics back up Mr Puddicombe’s claim community sentences are more effective than short jail terms, as offenders are shown to be at a heightened risk of committing more crimes once they get out.

It may also give victims some small comfort to know, as part of their rehabilitation, many criminals are put to work performing tasks of genuine benefit.

For example, offenders on the community payback scheme have been helping to clean up the former Colchester lido, off Colne Bank Avenue.

In the Colchester area, they have also planted 7,000 trees and painted and decorated Lion Walk and St Helena Hospice.

Mr Puddicombe, who previously worked for charities, said the chance to experience the feeling of satisfaction after an honest day’s work was an important lesson for offenders.

He said: “I wouldn’t say they enjoy it, but they get some form of fulfilment. If they spend a day clearing out a stream, for example, at the end of that day it becomes quite a pleasant place to be, and that’s quite a lesson.”