Criminals say sorry to keep out of the courts
Victims today welcomed a return to "common sense policing" that allows first-time offenders to say sorry.
Leicestershire is one of four police forces taking part in an experiment to reduce bureaucracy and keep low-level offenders out of the courts.
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Offenders, about half of them children, have been set tasks including removing graffiti and weeding gardens.
They must also show genuine remorse for their crimes.
About 90 per cent of victims whose cases have been dealt with under the restorative justice project have told police they were happy with the approach.
Since the project began in July, under a national review of policing by Government adviser Sir Ronnie Flanagan, 812 offenders have taken part.
Police said victims were consulted at every stage and almost 90 per cent were happy with the outcome. Fewer than one in 10 of the offenders have committed further crimes.
In July, three schoolchildren were caught spraying graffiti on a centre owned by the Leicester and District Multiple Sclerosis Society, in Anstey.
They were given pots of paint and told to clean up.
Lois Dalby, secretary of the society, said: "After they'd painted over the graffiti, they did some weeding and asked if there was anything else they could do.
"There's no point taking kids that age to court because of the long-term consequences."
In October, a teenager caught rolling a cannabis joint in the grounds of St George's Church, in Leicester city centre, was told to pick up litter.
Dave Grenz, chairman of Leicestershire Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said the restorative justice method was popular with officers because it allowed them to exercise judgement.
He said: "I have heard nothing bad about this from officers or from the public."
Chief Inspector Richard Keenan, of Leicestershire police, said: "Often people don't want a criminal justice outcome, they just want someone to restore the balance."
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by hayleigh, leicester
Thursday, December 11 2008, 3:31PM
“I totally agree with Emma, what a sound idea.”
by kyle, lesta
Thursday, December 11 2008, 2:16PM
“all you got to do is say sorry!! well im off to rob a shop then if all i got to do IF i get cought is say sorry, im sure kids are well scared of corsing crime now haha, no wonder crime is high if there no proper punishment, they say the prisons are full but i dnt no why as they let every one off!! the justice system in this country is a laugh and they wonder why there so much trouble around!”
by Daniel, Leicester
Thursday, December 11 2008, 2:15PM
“My fear Emma is that the judicial system will expand this "common sense" punishment! 'ohhh he / she has only been in trouble a couple of times and they have said sorry again so....' blah blah blah. If you not strong from the outset on punishment people wont learn. Low level crime acts can be just a starting point for a lot more serious offences and then what will we say! "well its the first time he's stabbed someone and well he's said sorry so tell you what, let him off aslong as he/she stiches up the victim and makes the victims family a home cooked meal!" I know i am going to extremes but there has to be some thing lasting in the offenders mind rather than 'dont worry mate if they catch you, you'll only have to paint the wall again its easy!' just doesnt sound like a detterent to me.”
by Undisclosed, Leicester
Thursday, December 11 2008, 1:17PM
“Take it from osmeone who knows and works in the field the police ARE cautioning people for very serious crimes. A boy carrying an air rifle in a park - caution. a man who headbutted his wife casuing a nasy cut to her face - caution. An 18 year old man sleeping with a 14 year old girl - Not prosecuted. The family went and beat him up anyway. A group of 6 yobs drunk and fighting in the city centre. All isssued with £30 tickets. You get more for parking on a double yellow line!
Just a few examples.
It is about time the public knew what is really going on. The streets are no longer safe.
"Tough on crime tough on the causes of crime". I dont think so.”
by Emma, Leicester
Thursday, December 11 2008, 12:29PM
“Daniel and Gerry you are missing the point - the police aren't doing this with high level serious crimes. It's to prevent young people who can often get caught up in mindless petty crime ( eg the example of vandalism that is shown in the article) who get treated this way. It's not about letting them get away with it,
It's about them having to take some practical responsability to fix the damage they did and restore community faith that "something is being done" - these could be kids too young to prosecute so then what do you say the answer is? I'd rather they cleaned up their mess and repaired the damage than nothing happened or they merely got a verbal warning.”