Introduced as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, the Community Remedy provides victims with more of a say in the delivery of criminal justice.
The Community Remedy is delivered through a process called Community Resolution. To use a Community Resolution, the officer must have enough evidence for a case to be brought to court and the offender must admit their guilt. The officer must also decide that the matter would be better dealt with in the community following consultation with the victim.
The types of offences appropriate for a Community Remedy include criminal damage, low value theft, minor assaults (without injury) and anti-social behaviour.
After an offence has been committed, police officers will present victims with a list of four out-of-court punishments to choose from. These options give victims a voice in how justice is delivered.
The options available through the Community Remedy were decided following public consultation undertaken by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent.
The four options agreed are:
- Reparation to damage caused (e.g., repairing damage to property, cleaning graffiti, or returning stolen property)
- Paying for the damage caused to be repaired or for the property stolen to be replaced
- A verbal or written apology which is genuine and acceptable to the victim
- A restorative approach which allows victims and offenders to put their views to each other without meeting face to face
The final decision on how to deal with the offender is made by the police. The decision taken must improve public confidence in the use of out-of-court disposals and must not breach human rights.
If an offender fails to carry out the actions they have agreed to through the Community Remedy, they can be brought to court.