A scheme which helps prevent Bradford's sex offenders from committing further offences is in the running for an international award.

The nomination for Bradford-based Sexual Offence Services (SOS) recognises its remarkable success over the past three years.

Since 1996 the scheme, which is run by Bradford Probation Service and social services, has assessed and treated 90 child abusers.

And it has been so effective that not one offender placed on the programme has been re-convicted.

Now the SOS project has been shortlisted with ten other schemes from around the world for the Community Justice Awards.

Bradford Probation Service policy and performance manager Mark Siddall said: "Sex offenders can create particular anxieties for the public. The aim of the SOS programme is to protect the community."

The programme deals with abusers referred by the courts through sentencing and offenders released from prison.

Offenders stay with the programme for between two and three years, attending weekly discussion groups and one to one counselling sessions.

And their behaviour outside the programme is monitored by a chaperone - normally a partner or relative.

Mr Siddall said: "Project workers use motivational techniques to look at the behaviour, thought processes and feelings of the offender and encourage them to take responsibility for their actions." As well as dealing with adults, the nine-strong SOS team has developed a new programme for adolescent sex offenders aged 14 to 17.

The SOS scheme was nominated for the award by Bradford Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Hyde. The final of the Community Justice Awards will be held at the Probation 2000 Conference in London on January 27.

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