FACE-TO-FACE meetings between offenders and their victims give criminals a better understanding of the human impact of their crime.

That’s the verdict of the Cheshire Police Authority on ‘restorative justice’ which they claim reduces the probability of reoffending.

A restorative justice ‘conference’ enables victims and offenders to meet with a trained mediator to agree a solution. They may agree that an apology will suffice or that the offender works in the community as payback such as graffiti removal, repair of damage or return any property stolen. It is a voluntary process which both parties must agree to.

At a Police Authority meeting last week, Moira Chapman said: “Restorative justice brings communities together, gives people power and, evidence suggests, reduces the chance that the offender will re-offend.”