Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Charles launched a countywide consultation to gauge the public’s views on a criminal justice resolution which gives victims a greater say in how anti-social behaviour and low level crime is dealt with.
The recently enacted Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act placed a statutory duty on the Commissioner to develop a Community Remedy Document which sets out how public protection partners will deliver elements of restorative justice across the county and which offences or situations qualify for this style of approach.
Community Remedy is a way of delivering justice without involving court action and concentrates on rehabilitating offenders who have committed low-level offences by reconciling them with the victim of their crimes so that they might understand the impact of their offending.
The questionnaire, which was available to complete at various policing events and online, asked residents to highlight their top three preferred community remedies from a list which includes mediation, face-to-face apology, diversionary activities including courses and training, rehabilitation such as anger management and agreement to pay for repair work to any damage caused as a result of their actions. During the consultation, Commissioner Charles will also consult with local authority leads over the approach.
A copy of the questionnaire can be found here
More information around community remedy and the outcome and chosen approach can be accessed here.