The huge challenges of dealing with some of Dudley’s most prolific offenders will be the focus of a new Channel 4 documentary, to be aired tonight (Thursday).

Dudley’s top cop Chief Superintendent Chris Johnson said Career Criminals made “uncomfortable viewing at times” but felt it was important to turn the spotlight on the usually hidden side of managing offenders.

The documentary will show how Dudley’s offender management teams have helped to secure one of the lowest reoffending rates in the country by constantly monitoring and challenging offenders.

Viewers will get a unique insight into the day-to-day difficulties that police officers and other agencies face in their bid to keep communities safe by steering problematic prolific offenders away from a life of crime.

Chief Supt Johnson said the documentary gives “a tiny snapshot of the borough”, as it focuses on one estate but added: “The aim of the documentary is to try to show what we are trying to do to tackle those small number of prolific offenders who cause so many problems to their neighbours and other people living in the area.

“Those featured in the programme in no way reflect the overwhelming majority of decent, hard-working people who live on that estate and in Dudley in general.

“Due to the nature of the documentary it doesn’t show the excellent work of the local neighbourhood teams who work closely with local people and have fantastic local support.”