Victims in Greater Manchester set to choose punishments

The scheme often involves minor crime such as graffiti

Victims are to get more say in how criminals are punished in parts of Greater Manchester.

Shoplifters could be forced to pay for goods, vandals forced to clean graffiti and anti-social youths asked to take part in community work.

It is part of a restorative justice programme being undertaken in Salford and Tameside divisions in May.

Police believe the programme could help cut low-level crime and, if successful, it will be rolled out force-wide.

The punishments will be used as an alternative to arresting and charging offenders - if the victim is in agreement.

Re-offending rates

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan, of Greater Manchester Police (GMP), said: "Restorative justice is part of an ambitious programme of change to make GMP a more efficient and effective force.

"If a victim wants to purse the traditional approach of arrest, charge and conviction then we will support them every step of the way.

"But that is not what every victim wants. Many would prefer to come face-to-face with a criminal and explain to them exactly what grief they have caused.

"It also means offenders can be held directly accountable to their victims and really appreciate what they have done.

"Studies have shown that this personal interaction can really hit home, forcing an offender to face up to what they have done, repair the damage and not re-offend."

The force said studies had shown that restorative justice could significantly reduce re-offending rates.

In Cheshire, re-offending rates for juveniles dealt with using restorative justice is 13% against the national average of 23.2%, GMP said.