A PIONEERING scheme to make young offenders face up to their crimes is to be rolled out across part of the region.

The Restorative Justice Programme – aimed at low-level offending by people aged ten to 17 and designed to put the needs of the victim first – is being extended across North Yorkshire.

The scheme, which has been piloted in Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale for the past three months, aims to deliver “quick and proportionate”

reparation, to stop young people entering the criminal justice system unnecessarily.

But Chief Inspector Nick Warnes, of North Yorkshire Police, said the programme was anything but a soft touch.

“Restorative Justice is about balancing the needs of the victim and the young person involved,” he said.

“It allows a young person to be accountable for their actions and make amends directly to the people or organisations they have harmed.

“This enables victims to have a say in how offences are dealt with, as well as receiving an explanation and more meaningful recompense for the harm caused.

“It reduces the burden on the criminal justice system, freeing up more police officer and court time.

“It is not a soft option, but a proportionate and meaningful response to minor offences and must have the agreement of the victim. It also prevents young and often vulnerable people from being criminalised at an early age.”

The scheme has seen 38 Youth Restorative Disposals (YRD) issued in the area, for offences such as theft, criminal damage, minor assault and obstructing police.

One case involved a 13-yearold girl who stole an 88p chocolate bar from a Scarborough shop.

As part of the YRD, she apologised to the retailer, repaid the cost of the chocolate, and contributed 50 per cent of her pocket money over six weeks to a charity supported by the retailer.

Chief Inspector Warnes said: “This course of action meant the young person learned valuable life lessons.

“The victim is compensated and the charity gained. Her parents also fully supported the restorative disposal.”

Lesley Ingleson, manager of North Yorkshire Youth Justice Service, said: “Children and young people are kept out of the criminal justice system, but are still held to account for their behaviour. The focus is on repairing the harm caused to the victim, but also on making sure that the child receives any support needed to change behaviour in the future.”