A REHABILITATION scheme for domestic abusers is set to be rolled out across Hampshire after a trial appeared to cut reoffending by 60 per cent.

Offenders in Southampton and west Hampshire were sent to two workshops to address their behaviour as part of Project Cara (Conditional Cautioning and Relationship Abuse).

Fewer than eight per cent were arrested again in the following year, compared to 19.4 per cent of offenders who did not attend, according to early findings.

Abusers who took part committed nine crimes in that period, compared to 25 among normal offenders.

Now the Local Criminal Justice Board has agreed to launch the scheme across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

County councillor Peter Latham told the police and crime panel: "It's a brilliant idea and it should be expanded as much as we can."

Participants were "overwhelmingly positive" and said the workshops were worthwhile and provided useful strategies to prevent further abuse, according to an official report.

The sessions, run by the Hampton Trust and funded by Hampshire Constabulary since 2012, have been backed by the national director of public prosecutions, Alison Saunders.

Project Cara has won national awards this year from the College of Policing and the Howard League for Penal Reform.