More sign up to help organise city's community justice scheme

Community Justice Panels, which were introduced in early 2009 in two pilot areas and rolled out across the rest of the city six months later, see victims of crime coming face-to-face with offenders and having a say in their punishment.

Sheffield was the first urban area in the country to introduce the community justice scheme after idea had previously proved successful in the rural area of Chard in Somerset.

In the Somerset scheme, only three per cent of offenders went on to reoffend and early figures from the Sheffield project suggest that the figure in the city is currently around five per cent.

Since the panels were introduced two years ago there have been 156 referrals, 83 young people have been identified as offenders and only four have gone on to re-offend.

Now, 18 new volunteers have signed up as "facilitators" to organise and oversee the Community Justice Panel meetings between victims and offenders. This brings the number of volunteer members in the city to 55.

Businessman Tom Chrisp has overseen six panels since he became a volunteer in early 2010.

He said: "It's hard work organising and running panels, but I think the outcomes in terms of people getting on better with their neighbours, or putting things right themselves, are really worthwhile.

"All the panels I've been involved with have resulted in both parties coming to an agreement."

At a Community Justice Panel meeting, offenders who want to avoid a criminal record have to explain their actions to their victims in front of the volunteer. Those offenders, who will usually have committed crimes for the first time, must admit their guilt, apologise and sign a "community justice agreement".

Together, the victim and offender then agree a course of reparation. If this is successfully completed, the case is closed and, if not, it progresses through the courts in the usual manner. If the offender does not carry out the reparations as agreed, they are also be sent back to court.

Issues that would go before a Community Justice Panel include anti-social behaviour, disputes between neighbours and crimes such as less serious incidents of criminal damage and assault.

Coun Shaffaq Mohammed, Sheffield Council's cabinet member for communities, said: "Our latest volunteers come from all walks of life, but share the enthusiasm to help make life safer and better for people living in all Sheffield's communities.

"They have already taken part in a detailed application and interview process to get this far.

"We know from the results of the panels so far that they will be making a fantastic contribution, and we are always keen to hear from more people who are keen to volunteer."

A spokesman for Sheffield Council said that, nationally, Community Justice Panels have been shown to reduce the number of people entering the criminal justice system for the first time, cut anti social behaviour and free up police time to concentrate on other priorities for tackling crime.

He added that the scheme also increases opportunities for people to volunteer within their communities and that anyone interested in becoming a volunteer facilitator should call 0114 2736421, or email [email protected].

Extending the project from the pilot areas of Ecclesfield and Broomhill throughout Sheffield cost 150,000 in the scheme's first financial year.

When the panels were first rolled out across the city, Coun Paul Scriven said: "It's a win-win situation. It doesn't cost as much as the court system but seems to be more effective."