CRIME is on the rise – and we’ve less police officers to try and stop it.

The number of police officers in England and Wales has fallen by more than 20,000 in just EIGHT years.

Police Chief Commissioner Jane Kennedy has said on numerous occasions that the lower level of officers jeopardises public safety.

But did you know PRISONERS are saving Merseyside’s cash-strapped police force hundreds of thousands of pounds?

The Merseyside Offender Mentoring Project sees serving prisoners act as mentors to men on their induction to prison.

The scheme, which will be discussed at Sefton Council’s Safer Communities Partnership meeting on Thursday, operates in Wirral, Liverpool, Sefton and St Helens and aims to engage with those in prison and prevent them from re-offending.

Men undertaking the project are supported throughout their time in custody.

This service is further supported by a bank of volunteer mentors who will help and stabilise the offenders on release and help them with their action plans to overcome barriers they are facing and change their offending behaviour.

According to documents on Sefton Council’s website, the project has been a success. Of the 228 offenders who engaged with the project last year, just 34 (15%) re-offended – compared to a national average expectation of 60%.

Based on the profile of previous offences committed, the estimated cost per crime committed by offenders undertaking the service is £3,097 – meaning this project saved just under £320,000 in twelve months.