VOLUNTEERS at the Petersfield-based South Downs Association for Disabled People voiced their concerns this week after discovering they were working alongside offenders carrying out community service.

A volunteer, who preferred not to be named, told The Herald one volunteer had already left because he was so concerned about the issue, and others were deeply upset.

They claim they were not told that offenders were carrying out their community service in the Shopmobility centre based in the central car park at Petersfield.

"We are upset to find that there are people who are on probation helping out in the Shopmobility office, and we only found out because two probation officers turned up to see someone," said the volunteer.

He said a fellow volunteer had already left because of the situation, and added; "We are upset because we were never consulted by the trustees of SDADP".

"We were a bit taken aback when we found out, and we are concerned about who we are working with and what they are on probation for. There are elderly ladies volunteering here, and many of us feel vulnerable. We ought to have been made aware of the situation."

"We have all our home addresses and telephone numbers up on the walls and anyone has access to them."

The chairman of the SDADP, Sue Williams, told The Herald the trustees had recently held a lengthy meeting on the matter, and had also spoken to many of the volunteers who had concerns.

"This is a situation where we are dealing with people who have appeared in court, but not for serious offences, otherwise they would not be with us," she said.

She said personal details about all volunteers were confidential, but added: "Risk assessments are carried out by the probation service before anyone comes to us. There is always a senior member of staff around when we have people doing community service, there are strict recordings, disciplines and checks in place, as well as an induction programme".

Mrs Williams said it was an emotive subject, but trustees had decided, after much consideration, to continue their policy of offering work to the probation service.

"Many of us know what its like to be discriminated against, and in my opinion these people need to have the opportunity to work, and if we can help and support them and let them know they are valued it is something we can offer to the community, and it has very positive outcomes for both of us."

"I suppose in the last two to three years we have had four or five people who have come from the probation service, and we only have one at a time," Mrs Williams told The Herald,.

"We have vulnerable people with us, and I as chairman am not going to put anyone at risk. Those of our volunteers who have real concerns have spoken to us, and if there is anyone who has any anxieties they are welcome to come and talk to me."

Alan Skinner, quality assurance manager for Community Service Hants, said this week: "Some of our offenders are a greater risk than others, but all the work they do has to benefit the community and benefit non-profit-making organisations".

He added: "Those we deem as a low risk - for instance people found guilty of benefit fraud, who are not a risk to society although what they have done is wrong - we put in individual placements such as charity shops, retirement homes, luncheon clubs and schools".

"I think the scheme works very well indeed, and in the South East Hampshire region just since April some 30,000 hours have been worked on some very worthwhile projects, and of those, 8,500 hours have been individual placements."

He said the scheme ensured not only that offenders gave time for the benefit of the community but also that they learned a skill for future use.

"We are very strict with the type of offender in a particular placement because our number one priority is the protection of the public," he added.