This in from the office of Simon Hayes, in their own words. Ed
Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Hayes, is supporting a new initiative that aims to reduce reoffending and put victims of crime at the heart of the criminal justice system by making offenders think.
Victim Support courses
A pilot scheme of courses delivered by independent charity Victim Support will be self-funded, and involves adult offenders of ‘low-level’ offences who receive a conditional caution or a Fixed Penalty Notice.
The scheme involves offenders of criminal damage, public order, ASB, assault or theft, attending a three hour education and awareness course similar to those offered to motorists for speeding offences.
Helping offenders think!
The course is an interactive educational experience delivered by trained professionals that challenges offenders to think about their actions, asking the questions:
- How would they feel if someone did it to them?
- How their actions impacted on their victim?
- Who else could be affected by their behaviour?
- How might they be viewed by others? and
- What are they telling themselves to try and justify their behaviour?
Offenders choosing to participate pay £45 towards the cost of the course with any surplus being reinvested in victim services.
Pilot in Portsmouth and Southampton
The pilot is being run in Portsmouth and Southampton and will be evaluated in terms of victim satisfaction and reducing re-offending. The courses are being hosted courtesy of Hampshire Fire and Rescue at stations in Southsea and Redbridge, Southampton.
Simon Hayes said:
“This course provides a diversionary alternative to make offenders think about their actions and steer them away from committing further offences.
“I stated in my Police and Crime Plan that I wanted to explore new initiatives to improve outcomes for victims and offenders. This scheme meets those criteria. It also endorses my commitment to provide a service where victims feel more involved and are more confident that the police and partner agencies provide them with the appropriate level of care and support.
“I expect this scheme to work and significantly reduce re-offending and contribute to improving victim satisfaction.”
Javed Khan, chief executive of Victim Support, said:
“The Victim Awareness Course has been designed to make perpetrators really think about the impact of their actions on others, and help to reduce reoffending.
“Victims of crime tell us that although they want to see offenders punished, what they want more than anything is for their offender not to commit another crime.
“The course has a real focus on how people have been affected by others’ actions, and we hope that knowing offenders are taking part will give victims the confidence that their views are properly taken into account.”
