CRIMINALS are half as likely to re-offend if they can find a job, it has been revealed.

And the National Probation Service and Jobcentre Plus in West Yorkshire have teamed up to help reduce crime rates.

The two agencies have launched an agreement for working together, to get more offenders into jobs and improve their literacy and numeracy.

Hilary Campbell, the probation service chief for the Yorkshire and Humberside region, said: "Being in a job is a key factor in turning people away from committing further crimes.

"This agreement between the service probation and Jobcentre Plus will be a significant step forward in our work to reduce re-offending and protect the public."

She added: "A very high proportion of the 21,000 new people we take on each year do not have a job."

* Jobcentre Plus was formed when the Employment Service and part of the Bene- fits Agency were brought together to form a single service.

It helps jobless people to find work and provides a work and benefits advice service.