About us

Offender-based Intervention Unit

The Offender-based Interventions Unit (OIU) specifically targets Persistent and Prolific Offenders of all ages to break the cycle of criminal behaviour. This unit includes the Drug Interventions Programme, who develop and implement policies and interventions directed at targeted groups of offenders, with a view to addressing the underlying causes of offending thereby reducing crime and re-offending.

This unit develops and implements policies and interventions directed at targeted groups of offenders, with a view to addressing the underlying causes of offending, thereby reducing crime and re-offending.

The unit works closely with a wide range of stakeholders and delivery partners. In cases where individuals will not engage in programmes or interventions the unit ensures that sanctions – such as restrictions on bail – are available to law enforcement agencies so that offending behaviour is challenged. As part of this work, the unit aims to improve the co-ordination of enforcement based activities with offender-led interventions, to maximise the benefits to communities by crime reduction.

Drug Interventions Programme (DIP) Operations team

This section of OIU manages DIP Operations in the field, including drug testing in custody suites, the implementation and improvement of required and follow up assessment, restriction on bail and is also responsible for the development of and improvements to criminal justice integrated teams.

The team liaises with NOMs, Prisons and Probation to create joined-up offender management for DIP clients, ensuring that the needs of DIP clients are properly considered within mainstream wraparound/aftercare services.

Intervention co-ordination and management team

This team manages the operational interventions and activities across the unit’s projects and programmes. This involves building up links with drug enforcement activities against dealing, crackhouse closures and wider use of asset recovery powers.

The team is responsible for promoting the introduction of overall force drug strategies and joining up of demand and supply reduction strategies. Additionally, it works with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to develop strategic capability and representation on the ACPO Drugs Committee.

Programme and data management team

This team provides support to the DIP operations team through the provision of robust programme management arrangements and the ongoing development of the DIP performance management framework. This includes

• ensuring that programme management arrangements, including milestones, risk register and change control processes are in place and effective 
• providing timely and appropriate analytical support to monitor and drive DIP performance
• ensuring that DIPs interests are represented in the development of wider performance arrangements (e.g. PSAs, LAAs and APACs)

The team also provides the central briefing and communication function for OIU, along with support on legislative requirements and issues. It proveds strategic management of the DIP budget and support to the head of unit and individual teams on finance issues.

The data team manages DIP-specific data systems (including contractual and procurement activity) such as DIRWEB and DIMIS and links with other related systems such as the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS).

Prolific and other Priority Offenders (PPO) 

The PPO team works through Government Offices to deliver locally-focused PPO schemes in every Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership/Community Safety Partnership area in England and Wales. 

The team works closely with;

• the police (who broadly lead the Catch and Convict strand of the programme.
• National Offender Management Service (probation and prisons) who broadly lead the Rehabilitate and Resettle strand, and
• with the Youth Justice Board and Youth Offending Teams who broadly lead the Prevent and Deter strand. 

There are also key strategic links with the Office for Criminal Justice Reform, with Local Criminal Justice Boards leading on delivery of the PPO Criminal Justice Premium Service.