Probation supervises a number of people on community sentences within the Omagh area to guide their rehabilitation and reintegration back into the community.

Speaking at the opening of the new office, Cllr Howard Thornton, chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, welcomed the probation service’s “important role to play in making Omagh safer”.

Probation chief executive Cheryl Lamont said: “Every year, Probation delivers reports for courts, supervises orders and licences and provides victims of crime with a service through the victim information scheme. We know and can evidence that through our work fewer people go on to reoffend.

“This is the sort of work that the Omagh office carries out with our Justice partners, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Youth Justice Agency, Judiciary, and Social Services. We also work very closely with community based organisations like Barnardos, NIACRO, Drop Inn Ministries, and others.”

Probation Board chairman Vilma Patterson MBE added: “Through its Corporate Plan and Business Plans, Probation has identified areas of work including tackling domestic violence, dealing with addictions and poor mental health and working with partners to protect the most vulnerable in society.

“It is encouraging to hear some of the practical ways Probation here in Omagh are working to tackle these issues. It is important that the strategic priorities are delivered in a tangible way on the ground.”