CRIMINALS could avoid being taken to court if they agree to meet victims face-to-face and witness the misery they have caused.

Under plans unveiled yesterday by Home Secretary David Blunkett, so-called "restorative justice" schemes could become the norm.

Schemes include having the offender paying compensation to the victim, offering an apology, taking part in rehabilitation or doing unpaid work in the community.

Christina Blythe, head of County Durham's youth offending service, said restorative justice was already widely in use across the county in relation to referral orders given to youngsters.

In the past year, it has slashed re-offending among young people aged ten to 17 by 16.7 per cent - more than five times the initial target.

She said: "The biggest thing is that justice is done and seen to be done and is felt by the victim - that is a good outcome."

Three hundred youngsters in County Durham have undergone restorative justice for crimes ranging between arson, theft and assault.

The Home Secretary also announced plans to create a commissioner to champion victims' rights and a statutory code of practice for criminal justice agencies designed to put crime victims at the heart of the criminal justice system.

David Hines, of Jarrow, South Tyneside, who sits on the Home Office victims advisory panel, said: "Generally, we have a few things here that we have never had before and I genuinely believe the Government is trying to put victims first, but there is a long way to go."