YOUNG arsonists and sex offenders across Oxfordshire have been let off going to court after apologising to their victims, new figures reveal.

Thames Valley Police handed out 3,258 youth restorative disposal (YRD) orders across Oxfordshire between 2009 and July 31 this year.

The figures, obtained by the Oxford Mail under the Freedom of Information Act, also show the force used the orders five times for crimes committed by 10 to 17-year-olds including sexual assault and exposure.

As part of the scheme, if the victims agree, youths get the chance to apologise and in so doing, do not get anything placed on their criminal record.

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Arsonists were also given the disposals on 39 occasions, whilst two robbers also received them. People who had used violence were given them 926 times.

This is in direct contrast to the Home Office guidance which says: “Serious crimes, such as weapons, sexual and drug offences, are not eligible for a YRD.”

Last year police gave out 475 orders, compared to a peak of 994 in 2010.

The orders are designed for low-level crimes, and were introduced to all areas in 2009 after a year-long pilot scheme in eight forces across the country.

Supt Rory Freeman, head of criminal justice at Thames Valley Police, said they are used to avoid making a youth a criminal.

He said: “Restorative disposals for adults and youths are an alternative way to deal with offenders without unnecessarily criminalising them through the criminal justice system. It allows the victim to say what they would like to come out of the incident which is often simply an acceptance by the offender of their wrongdoing and an apology to the victim, meaning the matter is dealt with swiftly and in the most appropriate way for all parties concerned.”

Supt Freeman said the fall could be put down to an overall drop in youth crime and changes in 2011 meant criminals were unlikely to receive more than one disposal order.

Oxfordshire Youth Offending Team spokesman Marcus Mabberley said the decline in the use of the orders could be down to a fall in crime overall. He said: “Nationally and locally there has been a steady general decline in recorded crimes committed, including those by younger people.”

When asked how the force could justify using them for serious crimes like sexual assault, Supt Freeman said: “To determine the most appropriate outcome in each youth case, there is a rigorous process including engagement with the Youth Offending Service, specialist services and the victim to ensure the most suitable resolution for both them and the offender.

“The reasons for determining that a YRD is the most suitable outcome are different in each case and will be thoroughly assessed including facts such as the victim not wishing to support formal criminal proceedings or specialist intervention arranged as part of the disposal, including the support of mental health services.”


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