Victims To Have Their Say In Antisocial Behaviour Punishment

Victims of antisocial behaviour and low level crime will be able to have their say on out-of-court punishments of offenders, the Home Office announced today.

As part of the ongoing shake-up of antisocial behaviour powers, designed to put the public in the driving seat, Crime Prevention Minister Jeremy Browne unveiled plans to introduce a Community Remedy.

The new power will allow victims to choose from a list of punishment options, agreed with their local police and crime commissioner (PCC).

It is one of a number of measures designed to tackle antisocial behaviour which today moved a step closer to becoming legislation following the introduction of a draft bill.

Antisocial behaviour

Jeremy Browne said: "Victims of antisocial behaviour and low level crime often feel powerless but now we are giving victims back their voice.

"This new power will mean visible justice, straight away, providing transparency to the public, who rightly want to see fair and meaningful punishments."

The Community Remedy will be tailored to local areas and apply to crimes such as low level criminal damage or assault without injury, where a prison term is not applicable.

The types of punishments which could feature on a remedy menu include:

• the offender signing an Acceptable Behaviour Contract

•participation in structured activities such as alcohol or drug treatment

•mediation – for example, to resolve a neighbour dispute

•paying compensation to the victim (for example for any damage caused)

•reparation to the victim (for example repairing damage or cleaning graffiti off a wall)

•reparation to the community (for example by doing local unpaid work for up to 10 hours)

The Home Office is now inviting members of the public and frontline professionals to share their views on the Community Remedy before it becomes law, via the consultation.

(GK)