Probation service 'worse' since Sonnex killings

Standards in London's probation service have dropped since two students were murdered by a criminal who was under supervision, it emerged today.

Inspectors found work in just 54 per cent of cases met the level that is needed to ensure the public is well protected - nine per cent down on last year. Justice Minister Maria Eagle said: "Improving London probation's performance is a significant priority."

Dano Sonnex was jailed for killing French students Laurent Bonomo and Gabriel Ferez, stabbed more than 200 times in June last year.

After the trial it emerged his Lewisham-based probation officer was deluged with work. The revelations led to the resignation of London probation chief David Scott. Officers struggle with large caseloads, staff sickness and an unreliable IT system, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation found.

Chief inspector Andrew Bridges said "substantial improvement" is needed. Probation Service funding in England and Wales will fall by £24million, or 2.6 per cent, in 2010/11.