Powers of Criminal Courts Act 1973

Probation officers

8 (1) It shall be the duty of probation officers to supervise the probationers and other persons placed under their supervision and to advise, assist and befriend them, to inquire, in accordance with any directions of the court, into the circumstances or home surroundings of any person with a view to assisting the court in determining the most suitable method of dealing with his case, to advise, assist and befriend, in such cases and in such manner as may be prescribed, persons who have been released from custody and to perform such other duties as may be prescribed or may be imposed by any enactment or instrument.

(2) In sub-paragraph (1) above " enactment" includes an enactment contained in a local Act and " instrument " means an instrument having effect by virtue of an Act.

9 The probation officer who is to be responsible for the supervision of any probationer shall be selected under arrangements made by the probation and after-care committee for the probation and after-care area which includes the petty sessions area for the time being named in the order from among the probation officers appointed for or assigned to that petty sessions area ; and, if the probation officer so selected dies or is unable for any reason to carry out his duties, or if the case committee dealing with the case think it desirable that another officer should take his place, another probation officer shall be selected in like manner from among the probation officers appointed for or assigned to that petty sessions area.