THE number of women in Fife involved in crime has fallen by 45 per cent in three years.

And Fife Council was told there has also been an "encouraging" drop in the number of females who re-offend.

An update on the work of the Criminal Justice Social Work (CJSW) said women in the Kingdom account for a quarter of crimes, are more likely to be in prison for dishonesty offences and pose a lower risk to public safety.

A report suggests many will have a troubled background, involving drink, drugs, mental health problems and abusive relationships, they are generally remanded in custody and will have dependent children.

Angela Simpson, the manager of the Women Who Offend Team (WWOT), said: "A recent report on People With Convictions in Fife found that in 2014-15, women accounted for 24 per cent of total people recorded as offending and 19 per cent of those considered to be 're-offending'.

"The total number of women involved in crime has reduced between 2012-13 and 2014-15 by 45 per cent.

"Women are also less 'prolific' offenders than men, with a lower percentage responsible for higher numbers of repeat offences over the same three-year period."

The council's safer communities committee heard that part of the success has been put down to a new project.

WWOT was set up last year to help curb criminal behaviour and try to keep females out of prison.

The aim is to support women who offend through appropriate interventions to improve their self-esteem, health and wellbeing, and through this to reduce re-offending.

Ms Simpson said: "The total numbers of women re-offending reduced from 511 in 2012-13 to 434 in 2014-15, equating to a 15 per cent reduction.

"While it is difficult to attribute 'cause and effect', it is reasonable to assume that the contribution of the WWOT has had some impact on these encouraging figures."

The council report said the extended provision of community services, as alternatives to custody, had helped women to stay out of prison and make better choices.

This was more likely to happen when women were stable, for example, in safe and secure housing and with any substance misuse under control, felt motivated to change and supported by workers or a person they trusted.

Fife has also developed a 'one stop shop' model to engage with women who offend, now called WINGS (Women-Inspired-Nurturing-Goals-Safe), with more women getting involved with the service.

A media project in the Dunfermline WINGS has focused on photography and film production, to look at female offenders' emotions, how they behave and express themselves, their fears and anxieties.

However, as with all council services, there is a concern about finance.

Ms Simpson said: "The past year has seen a number of new initiatives being developed and there will be a considerable challenge in the year ahead to be able to sustain those and make them work for the women involved.

"Working with women with chaotic lives is never straightforward but the partnership approach has proved to be invaluable.

"Unfortunately, other services and agencies have their own issues and challenges at this time and cannot always commit to WWOT priorities."