Probation chief’s 20 years’ service

Kathy Loney, head of compliance and enforcement for WY probation service. Speaking out on proposed closure of Dewsbury courts. (d12071005)

Kathy Loney has been dealing with offenders since 1992 – and she is looking forward to a well-earned break.

Now the head of Kirklees and Wakefield Probation, she started out in West Yorkshire Probation Trust (WYPT) as a probation officer in the Dewsbury office, having previously worked as a generic social worker at Cleckheaton town hall.

Mrs Loney went on to work in Dewsbury Magistrates Court – later speaking out against their closure in 2010.

She become a team manager for Dewsbury in 2001, before moving to the Leeds team.

After a year managing a sex offender project in Scotland, she returned to West Yorkshire as head of Kirklees and Wakefield Probation.

Mrs Loney said: “The pace of change has been enormous over the last 20 years. When I started, WYPT admin staff had typewriters and everything was typed out in duplicate. When computers hit probation, WYPT started with one between three people.”

Mark Siddall, WYPT director of operations, said: “Kathy has developed a strong track record of delivering performance. The reductions in reoffending throughout has been remarkable and consistent.”

When Mrs Loney retires on March 31 she will enjoy a holiday in America with members of her family, before painting her house and relaxing in the garden with her partner.