Crime victims to decide offender punishment

Crime victims can now consider an appropriate punishment for offenders responsible for anti-social behaviour and low-level crime.

A community remedy document is prepared by Thames Valley Police and a contains a list of actions which victims can choose from to punish offenders for committing crimes such as low-value theft and minor assault without injury.

The new scheme - part of the recently introduced community resolutions process - is designed to form an informal agreement between the victim and the offender, rather than involving the courts.

Police officers will work with victims and offenders to decide on appropriate action.