Victims of anti-social behaviour and low-level crime can now have more of say in the punishment of offenders.
In line with new legislation, the new Community Remedy, announced by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Ian Johnston, will provide victims with more of a say in the out-of-court punishment of offenders.
It provides a list of the out-of-court options which can be presented to a victim by a police officer so they can choose how an offender can be dealt with when they commit low level and minor crimes or antisocial behaviour.
The types of offences appropriate for a Community Remedy include low-level criminal damage, low value theft, and minor assaults (without injury) and antisocial behaviour.
It will mean victims get justice quickly and the offender has to face the consequences of their actions. The offender must have admitted committing the offence and the victim must have requested an out of court resolution. Police will have the final decision to ensure the remedy is proportionate to the incident.
The options were formulated following a consultation by Gwent PCC Mr Johnston in July this year.
Nearly 1,000 people completed the consultation and a total of four options have now been agreed by Mr Johnston and the Chief Constable of Gwent Police.
The options agreed are reparation to damage caused, paying for the damage caused to be repaired or for the property stolen to be replaced, a verbal or written apology or a restorative approach which allows victims and offenders to put their views to each other without meeting face-to-face.
Mr Johnston said: “If not dealt with appropriately, incidents of antisocial behaviour and low-level crime can escalate to potentially damage or even destroy people’s lives.
“The Community Remedy is all about putting the victim first and empowering them to take instant action. It allows for swift justice to be delivered and for first time low level offending to be nipped in the bud. Locally, justice can be seen to be done which is likely to improve public confidence.”
From October onwards, the majority of support services for victims, which were traditionally provided at a national level by government, will now be provided at a local level by PCCs.
The idea is a good one but when people call 101 or 999 they want to see officers turning up. I had problems last weekend with youths throwing eggs and other items at my windows and when I reported it the Police did’nt turn up. I would also add that my mother’s mp is the Home Secretary and I will have NO hesitation to take this matter to Theresa May myself.
Great! Victims can now use their limited say to decide if the criminal receives one slap on the wrist or two. May be it will be extended in the future allowing the victim to decide whether the gaol cell of the criminal has Blu-ray or DVD.
This will only work, and be of any benefit if the elected Commissioner demonstrates that he, and his deputy are willing to consult residents on all other policing issues effecting communities, It appears to me this is tinkering at the edges and any such action will only be determined by Gwent Police staff, only after that decision has been made will residents have any input at all.
Appears doomed to failure in my view, certainly on its effects to raise confidence in the public.