MP backs police community remedy idea (From Crewe Guardian)

MP backs police community remedy idea

10:11am Wednesday 9th January 2013 in News By Matthew Taylor

CREWE’S MP has backed plans to let victims of petty crime and anti-social behaviour choose their own punishment for the culprits.

Edward Timpson said the ‘community remedy’ scheme, proposed by Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) John Dwyer, would give victims of crime more of a voice.

The scheme is currently under consultation and, if approved, victims of low-level crime will be able to select a punishment for the offender from a list of options.

Mr Timpson said: “"Victims of anti-social behaviour can feel powerless, but these tough new community sentences will give victims their voice.

"Under the community remedy the punishment could be restorative or punitive, carried out nearby or as far away as possible but all will have one thing in common: they will be chosen by the victim.

"I know local people want to see tough and fair punishments. These new sentences will mean just that."

Options for victims will include things like offenders paying compensation, repairing damage or cleaning up graffiti, doing unpaid work or taking part in alcohol or drug treatment.

PCC Dwyer said: “In fitting the punishment to the crime it should make the offender more aware of the consequences of his or her actions - a vital factor in preventing re-offending.

"Tackling yobbish behaviour was a high priority in my manifesto and ‘community remedy′ can be a significant part of that.”

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