This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22346971

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'Community resolutions' used in 10,000 serious violence cases 'Community resolutions' used in 10,000 serious violence cases
(about 3 hours later)
Police in England and Wales dealt with more than 10,000 serious violence offences without prosecutions or cautions last year. More than 10,000 serious violent crimes were dealt with informally last year, despite guidelines to the contrary.
Instead "community resolutions", which can include an apology or compensation to the victim, were used. Police used "community resolutions", which can include an apology or compensation to the victim, instead of prosecutions and cautions.
That was despite Association of Chief Police Officers guidelines saying such crimes should be dealt with formally. The Association of Chief Police Officers says resolutions should only be used for low-level crime.
The data came from 33 police forces in England and Wales who responded to a Freedom of Information request The data came from 33 police forces in England and Wales which responded to a Freedom of Information request.
They were analysed by the House of Commons library after being obtained by the Labour Party. It was analysed by the House of Commons library after being obtained by the Labour Party.
BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said police were increasingly being encouraged to deal with minor incidents informally to reduce the burden on the criminal justice system.BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said police were increasingly being encouraged to deal with minor incidents informally to reduce the burden on the criminal justice system.
As part of this approach, known as a community resolution - or restorative justice - the offender apologises to the victim, pays compensation or repairs any damage caused and is given advice about their behaviour. As part of this approach, known as a community resolution - or restorative justice - the offender apologises to the victim, pays compensation or repairs any damage caused and is given advice about his or her behaviour.
Unlike a caution, a community resolution does not lead to a criminal record.Unlike a caution, a community resolution does not lead to a criminal record.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) advises in guidelines that community resolutions should be used for "less serious" offences which may include "minor assaults without injury".The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) advises in guidelines that community resolutions should be used for "less serious" offences which may include "minor assaults without injury".
But last year a community resolution was applied in 10,160 incidents of "serious violence" - about 12 times the figure for five years ago, the figures obtained by Labour show.But last year a community resolution was applied in 10,160 incidents of "serious violence" - about 12 times the figure for five years ago, the figures obtained by Labour show.
Incidents classed as serious violence include:Incidents classed as serious violence include:
A Home Office spokesman said it was the responsibility of chief constables to ensure community resolutions were used appropriately.
"Through crime maps and police and crime commissioners, the public now have the means to hold them to account," he added.
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the figures were "extremely serious".Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the figures were "extremely serious".
There had been "a massive increase in the number of serious and violent crimes dealt with just by community resolution ever since the police cuts started - breaking all the expert guidance and promises from ministers", she said.There had been "a massive increase in the number of serious and violent crimes dealt with just by community resolution ever since the police cuts started - breaking all the expert guidance and promises from ministers", she said.
"Offenders who admit to serious and violent crimes - including knife crime, domestic violence, and serious assault - are increasingly being let off with no criminal record, no justice and not even a caution. "Offenders who admit to serious and violent crimes - including knife crime, domestic violence and serious assault - are increasingly being let off with no criminal record, no justice and not even a caution.
"That's bad for justice, bad for victims and goes against all the evidence.""That's bad for justice, bad for victims and goes against all the evidence."
Ministers had "allowed this to happen," she said.Ministers had "allowed this to happen," she said.
But Acpo's Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said guidelines were in place "to help forces decide where the use of community resolutions might be appropriate. Acpo's Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said guidelines were in place to help forces decide where the use of community resolutions might be appropriate.
"But in every case, this decision will be victim-led and above all reflect their views and wishes. "But in every case, this decision will be victim-led and above all reflect their views and wishes," he said.
"At times it may be necessary, and appropriate, to use such informal resolutions to deal with more serious cases." "At times it may be necessary, and appropriate, to use such informal resolutions to deal with more serious cases.
He said "going through a restorative justice meeting has also been proven to have more impact on an offender than a prison sentence or a court punishment alone, as they see the consequences of their actions and so want to make changes in their future behaviour". "Going through a restorative justice meeting has also been proven to have more impact on an offender than a prison sentence or a court punishment alone, as they see the consequences of their actions and so want to make changes in their future behaviour."
He added: "We are clear that these cases should be judged upon their outcomes, not only for the victim, but the offender and wider community."
The Restorative Justice Council - "the national voice for restorative practice" - said it should be "available for all victims of crime who want it, subject to a risk assessment by a trained restorative justice professional".The Restorative Justice Council - "the national voice for restorative practice" - said it should be "available for all victims of crime who want it, subject to a risk assessment by a trained restorative justice professional".
"When offered alongside the right sentence for the offender, restorative justice can meet the needs of victims of the most serious crimes," director Lizzie Nelson said."When offered alongside the right sentence for the offender, restorative justice can meet the needs of victims of the most serious crimes," director Lizzie Nelson said.