A WORRYING surge in re-offending by criminals in Merseyside was revealed yesterday, ahead of a promised "revolution in rehabilitation".

The biggest leap was in Wirral, a 22.27% increase in the proportion of offenders who return to a life of crime within three months.

But there were also significant rises in St Helens (up 14.37%), Halton (up 11.12%), Knowsley (up 10.86%), Sefton (up 6.28%) and Liverpool (up 5.61%).

The increases are in comparison with three years ago, when the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) first began collecting “snapshot” statistics for each local probation service.

However, re-offending has fallen in Warrington (down 7.36%) and Cheshire West and Chester (down 1.16%). Furthermore, the rate of re-offending in most areas is in step with the average of England and Wales – which was 9.77%.

The figures were released ahead of a promised "rehabilitation revolution", which will see thousands of offenders handed tougher community punishments, instead of short prison terms.

Private and voluntary organisations will run some of the unpaid work sentences for offenders, paid by results. The payments will flow if offenders start education or work – and stay out of trouble. Community service will also become more intensive. Offenders will work full time if they are not in jobs and be forced to begin their punishment straight after sentencing.