Probation Officers protesting. Pic: Napa.

Probation officers across East London are set to go on strike today at 12pm over proposed government privatisation plans.

The probation officers’ union, Napo, has expressed concerns that selling the public service would increase re-offending rates.

The date for action was agreed after a trade union members’ vote, with 84% of Napo’s voting members in favour of taking industrial action against the planned proposals.

Jonathan Kinsella, the External Relations Officer for the London Probation Trust said: “We respect the right of London Probation Trust staff to take industrial action, and have planned for contingencies to ensure our core services are maintained”.

According to the London Probation Trust, the degree to which the local communities will be affected will not be clearly established until the strike begins at 12. This is because staff are not obliged to give notice of absence.

Since many are expected to take part in today’s action, probation service centres in Lewisham town centre and the bigger office in Bow, Tower Hamlets may be closed.

The strike takes place in the same week as walk-out organised by the national Fire Brigade Union.

Update 1.00pm: The London Probation Trust said that so far no centres have been forced to close because of the industrial action.