Being the victim of crime is traumatic and recovering from the experience is not easy.

For a long time afterwards, the person may be anxious about what happened, and perhaps wonder why it happened to them. There will be many questions to which that they want answers, but, despite the many services that offer support, it is not always possible to provide them.

For some, however, this is happening. A pioneering restorative justice initiative helps not only the victim, but also the perpetrator. Bradford is one of the leading cities, and the first in West Yorkshire, to implement Neighbourhood Resolution Panels (NRP), which bring the victim and offender together to resolve harm caused by the offence.

A national initiative, it allows the wrongdoer to face up to the impact of what they have done, giving them an opportunity to repair some of the damage they may have caused. It also enables them to avoid having an official record that could hinder them in life.

“One individual wanted to join the fire service. He had got drunk one night and damaged three cars,” explains NRP coordinator Rachel Iluk. “If he had received a caution, he would not have been able to pursue that career. As a result of attending the NRP, the victim received damages and avoided a caution.”

Co-ordinated by Bradford Community Safety Partnership – including probation, the police, Bradford Council and community volunteers – the panels only involve people whose crime has not led to a court appearance. A police officer will speak to those involved in the offence and ask whether they want to take part. The majority do.

“Victims say they want someone to apologise for their behaviour,” says Pip Tibbetts, partnership manager with West Yorkshire Probation Trust.

“They have caused them pain, or harm and they want reparation. It is like paying something back, going some way to rectify what happened. The victim can address what happened with the person who committed the offence, and that person can move on with their life without a criminal record.”

Crimes that can be referred include theft, criminal damage, various degrees of common assault, public order offences, and neighbourhood disputes.

In some situations, such as neighbour disputes, those involved are reluctant to meet face-to-face. “Here, two facilitators meet both of them, and try to reach an agreement which is written up,” explains Rachel.

It is hoped that the initiative will cut re-offending rates and prevent offenders moving towards more serious crime.

Adds Pip: “It is a very powerful process. It gives people the opportunity to ask questions like ‘Why?’ It is not mediation. This is sharp intervention.”

Volunteers who facilitate the meetings – held at venues within the community – are specially trained.

Hoshair Singh, a retired environmental health officer and former special constable, says: “We are there to make sure they address the issues. Every case is different. In one case, the reaction from both parties was similar. I think it is important that both know how the process works. It is also important that we establish that as volunteers, we are neutral. It is not about taking sides.”

Adds Rachel: “For the offender it is certainly not an easy ride. You are meeting someone and hearing how your actions have impacted upon them. One meeting began with arguments, but later they hugged each other.”

Probation service worker Gill Forber is a volunteer. “People have to confront and look at what they have done. The scheme is about using restorative justice at the earliest possible time to prevent the perpetrators becoming entrenched in similar behaviour.”

She adds: “The first panel I attended involved two friends who had had a misunderstanding that had escalated. It resulted in their friendship being restored.”

Says Pip: “It is about nipping it in the bud. We are hoping it diverts people from ever becoming involved in the criminal justice system. If the wrongdoer does not comply, the case will be referred back to the police.”

Claire Hargreaves, police sergeant at Trafalgar House, trains officers in alternatives to custody. “Some people do not want to go to court,” she says, citing an example as members of the gay, bisexual and transgender community. “They may have been abused in the street and don’t want to go to court.”

NRP also frees up police officers to deal with other local priorities, she adds.

Says Rachel: “It is not a soft option at all, but it is a very effective one.”