PEMBROKESHIRE has been chosen to pilot a new initiative aimed at preventing women from getting involved in crime.

Low-risk offenders and those thought likely to offend will be guided through the innovative Women’s Pathfinder Diversion Scheme.

It aims to prevent crime and help women, many of whom have been victims of crime themselves, get back on track. The support will help them address underlying issues, avoid trouble and help build relationships.

Dyfed-Powys elected Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon said: “I want to give women every chance of staying away from crime.

“Pathfinder will give them the help they need and will, as a result, make our communities safer.”

Mr Salmon and Wales’ other three PCCs secured Home Office funding of around £235,000 to run a Pathfinder pilot in each force area.

The first Dyfed-Powys pilot will operate in Pembrokeshire where around 850 women are arrested each year; more than 50 of them will be suitable for the initiative.

For duration of the pilot, all women arrested and taken to Haverfordwest Police Station will be considered for the scheme.

Pathfinder workers – from housing, care and support organisation Grwp Gwalia – will work with the police to agree appropriate interventions or services. This may be housing support, debt advice, access to mental health services, domestic abuse support, substance misuse help or another service.

Dyfed-Powys Police Sgt Darren Moore, said: “Pathfinder is about intervening at the earliest opportunity to provide support and prevent escalation of offending behaviour.

“It also ensures that those already in the criminal justice system have the support they need to move away from trouble and play a positive role in their families and neighbourhoods.”