ALMOST one in ten solved crimes in Hampshire last year were resolved through community resolutions rather than prosecution, new figures have revealed.

In 2012, police in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight used the practice – a way of dealing with more trivial crimes instead of taking offenders to court – more than 3,200 times.

The figures were released by Hampshire police yesterday as it was revealed that nationally around one in eight crimes are being resolved through an apology or even a compensation payout in order to avoid the court system for low level offences.

The Daily Echo has asked Dorset Police for their figures.

Jo Rowland, head of Hampshire Constabulary’s Criminal Justice Department, said the innovative system provided “a cost effective solution” to most minor crimes.

She said: “We take our responsibilities for dealing with crime very seriously and will always strive to use the most appropriate outcome in consultation with the victim.

“Community resolutions are not about letting people off but finding a common sense solution to some low-level issues.

“Some cases are more complex but we will always take into consideration factors including the impact on the victim and whether it is the offender’s first offence.

“Hampshire Constabulary is the first force in the country to develop a scrutiny panel which involves the Crown Prosecution Service and magistrates to oversee their use.

“We are confident that the right resolution is applied in the majority of cases.”