The Community Remedy

Under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014 a mandatory requirement was placed upon police Forces to discuss out of court disposal options with victims of crime, this process is known as the Community Remedy.

Community Remedy is a process that aims to give victims of certain types of crime and anti-social behaviour the opportunity to have a say in how the person responsible is dealt with by the police.

Dealing appropriately with certain types of crime out of court, means victims get justice quicker, and the offender faces immediate consequences for their actions.

As a victim, Community Remedy presents you with options which you can consider to be undertaken by an offender. The offender must have accepted responsibility for their behaviour.

The police officer dealing with our case will discuss Community Remedy with you, the options available and if enforceable by the police or not. The police officer dealing with your case will invite you to choose one or more appropriate options from the Community Remedy menu.

Should the offender refuse to accept this option then there will be consideration of court prosecution or another formal disposal.

Taking part can be a very positive experience for everyone.

The Community Remedy Menu

• Reparation: Asking the offender to pay for, or repair damage to your property, clean graffiti, or undertake a community-based activity such as litter picking.
• Restoration: A facilitated and structured process that enables direct or indirect communication between the victim and the offender (Restorative Justice), allowing those affected to have an opportunity to explain the impact of the incident, obtain answers to questions they may have, and / or obtain an explanation or apology from the offender.
• Rehabilitation: Referral to an intervention programme (such as an alcohol or substance misuse diversion scheme / Domestic Abuse programme / offence focused intervention.

Alternatively with youths, an intervention facilitated by the Youth Justice Service involving the youth and parent / guardian. All interventions aim to address the cause(s) of the behaviour and reduce the risk of reoffending.

The police will tell you if your chosen options are enforceable, or a voluntary arrangement. If any of the chosen options are unsuitable, the police will guide you and make the final decision.

Restorative Justice

Restorative justice gives victims the chance to safely communicate with their offender to explain the real impact of the crime or behaviour upon them and / or ask questions that only the offender could answer, it empowers a victim by giving them a voice.

This process also holds offenders to account for what they have done and helps them to take responsibility and make amends for the harm caused.

If you think Restorative Justice might help you and you wish to speak to someone for an informal chat or to find out more call 0800 612 5810 or email – rjhub@cumbria.police.uk or for further information visit Remedi (remediuk.org)