Tenant justice: residents to decide offenders' fates

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Communities and also in Housing, Legal

A Tameside housing association has asked its tenants to join a Neighbourhood Justice Panel - which will rule on how offenders should make amends for low level crime.

New Charter Homes is looking for 20 volunteers to sit on the panel which will work on crimes that are dealt with outside the courts, including antisocial behaviour, neighbour disputes and vandalism.

Those chosen will be trained in evidence gathering, taking witness statements and interviewing. They will work with victims and perpetrators to decide on the best solution to problems.

Though the volunteers need not be New Charter tenants they should be "good listeners, non-judgemental and fair-minded".

Tony Powell, New Charter’s executive director of neighbourhoods, said: “The work of the panel will focus on the needs of victims and offenders so that any restorative justice has the best outcomes for all concerned.

“Local people should be involved in making key decisions for their communities and we feel that with the right training and support from us and partners, the work of the panels will be very successful.”

Cllr Kevin Welsh, Tameside Council’s executive member for community safety, said: “I applaud this initiative. I am in favour of anything that gives the community some influence in matters like these. Neighbourhood justice panels will allow the people most affected by low-level crime to have a say in how it is dealt with.”