IN reply to Michael Mead (Offenders imported to Boscombe. Letters 22/112014) and Councillor Jane Kelly’s reply (Rehabilitation in Boscombe 29/11/2014).

Mr Mead is justified in his concern regarding offenders re-located to Boscombe, and Crime Reduction Initiatives (CRI). CRI is a charity, which is funded by the taxpayer mainly through the Ministry of Justice and local authority drug and alcohol action teams (DAAT). CRI accounts show that their taxpayer funded income has risen from £2.1 million in 2001 to £116 million in 2013/14.

The top executives earn over £160,000 p.a.

As Councillor Kelly states, CRI is a national organisation, however, with 2128 employees it is very similar in size to the Dorset Police Force with 2127 employees, the net budget for Dorset Police is £113.4 million with further cuts due.

The Bournemouth CRI website states: “We have an established working relationship within the prisons in Dorset, making weekly visits to the local remand prison to allow effective and continuous engagement from custody to community.”

In addition, another Bournemouth charity operates an ex-offenders re-location scheme.

Why would a town the size of Bournemouth require two organisations to relocate offenders?

Either the “Bournemouth Connection” is very tenuous or Bournemouth has a disproportionate amount of offenders.

The Boscombe Regeneration Partnership Commitment and Action Plan 2012-2015 states that the council wishes to reduce the number of ex-offenders released into Boscombe.

I would be interested to learn how Bournemouth council is going to achieve this.

BARRY HODGES, Belle Vue Road, Bournemouth