As at 31 December 2007, the number of residents housed in approved premises in England and Wales categorised as (a) high risk of harm was 1,329, representing 69 per cent. of the total number of residents at that date. The number categorised as (b) very high risk of harm was 95, representing 5 per cent. These figures do not include the prospects approved premises, which are a specialist resource for offenders with substance misuse problems. If such offenders were not placed in approved premises, they would fall to be supervised elsewhere in the community. Staff in approved premises are trained in risk assessment and risk management and work closely with offender managers and with the police, in order to protect the public.
The regional profile of offenders, by risk of harm, was as follows:
Region Number Percentage Number Percentage East 94 67 2 1 East Midlands 108 71 17 11 London 229 85 7 3 North East 86 72 17 14 North West 281 81 12 3 South East 94 48 6 3 South West 77 52 9 6 Wales 62 74 7 8 West of Midlands 119 54 9 4 Yorkshire and Humberside 179 74 9 4 Total 1,329 69 95 5