Shocking statistics show £112 million of Luton and Central Bedfordshire crime is caused by only 250 offenders.
That is according to the final report by Total Place, a pilot scheme launched last July, which said the most prolific criminals could be costing taxpayers nearly £500,000 each.
These 250 offenders are responsible for a quarter of all crime committed.
It is estimated these prolific offenders were named in more than 2,500 offences between 2007 and 2009, costing around £8 million. This includes criminal justice system costs of more than £2.5 million.
Total Place also states official studies show that for every reconviction, a further five unreported offences will have taken place.Because of this estimated costs rise to more than £13 million with criminal justice system costs of £5 million.
When Total Place based these figures on the 250 offenders, it concluded they could cost £112 million a year.
The pilot scheme found these persistent criminals are often entrenched in offending behaviour, yet less than half of this group are supervised by probation services or included in programmes. The scheme studied the typical path of such offenders and concluded that in many cases the current systems fail to break the offending/reoffending cycle and, in some cases, may actually contribute to it.
It also found there are often considerable delays in accessing benefits and there are problems with securing suitable accommodation.
Gaps in the delivery of intervention and support services can also affect their reoffending.
Seven pathways are considered to have these gaps – children and families, housing, health, employment, education and training, drugs and alcohol, finance and attitude.
A Luton Borough Council spokeswoman said: “Co-ordinated, intensive work with these individuals – including more help with accommodation and better access to benefits upon release from prison – would have a profound impact on their propensity to offend or reoffend.
“In helping cut the number of offences committed, the huge costs to the community and the criminal justice system of such crimes would also be greatly reduced.”