CRIME victims in Bradford could get an even better support service under new proposals.

The district has pioneered innovative restorative justice schemes, like Neighbourhood Resolution Panels, which have been used as examples of good practice elsewhere in the country.

Now a funding bid has started which could transform help for victims even further.

A Bradford Council report on community safety said the Restorative Justice Strategy Group had presented an integrated victim service model to West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson, which targeted victim groups not currently supported.

The report said that if the bid was successful it would place Bradford in a unique position and pave the way for significant investment in new victim approaches in the district.

It said the Restorative Justice hub continued to develop and was on track to meet all milestones in the project plan for the PCC grant. More than 30 organisations and 300 staff had been trained in restorative justice, and the hub was working towards achieving a nationally recognised quality mark.

Safer Communities delivery co-ordinator Rebecca Trueman said the proposals were about "being with the victims throughout their journey" from reporting an incident to police to going to court.

She said: "It's about assessing vulnerability and ensuring we manage those victims through that system, through the whole journey, not just when a crime happens or when they go to court. We recognise that if we don't provide an integrated service we will be looking at an increase in offending rates.

"There is room for improvement. We have got certain elements that are really good, Restorative Justice has an outstanding reputation. We know we have got good practice. With additional funding we can turn good practice into great practice. It's about putting victims first."

The Neighbourhood Resolution Panel brings criminals face to face with their victims. Trained volunteers help them agree on restorative action in the community following cases of low level crime or anti-social behaviour.

In the first two years of the scheme, nearly 100 neighbourhood disputes were resolved, almost 100 referrals were made and 90 per cent of victims who took part were satisfied with the outcome.

Types of cases referred to the panel included neighbour disputes, assault, kerb crawling and criminal damage, with 97 per cent of people not re-offending.

A spokesman for Mr Burns-Williamson said: "The Police and Crime Commissioner is very supportive of restorative justice, which should be available to victims as one of a range of options.

"Restorative justice can empower victims of crime. It allows police the flexibility to deal with a variety of offences appropriately and deal effectively with the perpetrators."