A SCHEME aimed at tackling low-level crime has been extended to Poole.

Neighbourhood Justice Panels, which give victims of crime and anti-social behaviour the chance to have face-to-face meetings with the perpetrator, have been running in parts of Dorset since 2010.

They aim to encourage perpetrators to recognise the harm they have caused and are part of Dorset police and crime commissioner Martyn Underhill’s wider policy of ‘restorative justice’.

Mr Underhill said: “Research shows that restorative justice is associated with high levels of victim satisfaction and can also help reduce reoffending by offenders.”

Rip Kirby, a neighbourhood justice panel facilitator, added: “Without exception, the cases I have dealt with have given both the offenders and victims a positive closure.”