14/09/2010 01:46 PM
Youngsters who vandalised a play area have been repairing the security fencing at the very same site as part of an innovative new policing scheme.
The restorative justice initiative, trialled in Bolton, let victims of crime decide how the perpetrators should be punished. It has seen criminals come face-to-face with the people they have hurt.
In April five children aged 12 and 13 went to Blackrod Community Playgroup to tell co-owner Carole Bell it was them who had vandalised its play area. To amend for their crime the children grouped together pocket money to pay for the action and repaired security fencing.
Other examples have been shoplifters picking up litter and clean bus shelters.
So successful the trial has been judged, it will now be rolled out across the whole Manchester region.
Assistant chief constable Garry Shewan told the newspaper: "I am delighted that restorative justice is being so well received by both our officers and, more importantly, our communities.
"Many people do not want to see a young person given a criminal record for shoplifting or spraying graffiti — it does not satisfy them or do anything to stop someone from re-offending."
The restorative justice initiative, trialled in Bolton, let victims of crime decide how the perpetrators should be punished. It has seen criminals come face-to-face with the people they have hurt.
In April five children aged 12 and 13 went to Blackrod Community Playgroup to tell co-owner Carole Bell it was them who had vandalised its play area. To amend for their crime the children grouped together pocket money to pay for the action and repaired security fencing.
Other examples have been shoplifters picking up litter and clean bus shelters.
So successful the trial has been judged, it will now be rolled out across the whole Manchester region.
Assistant chief constable Garry Shewan told the newspaper: "I am delighted that restorative justice is being so well received by both our officers and, more importantly, our communities.
"Many people do not want to see a young person given a criminal record for shoplifting or spraying graffiti — it does not satisfy them or do anything to stop someone from re-offending."
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