‘Meet the victim’ scheme is launched

Glasgow Council last week launched the first restorative justice
scheme in Scotland designed to tackle youth crime.

Backed by Scottish executive funding of nearly £1m over two
years, the initiative will ensure that 500 under-16s who commit
offences will need to consider the consequences of their actions
and may be required to meet their victims.

A team of 10 specialist staff at the local authority will work with
the city’s children’s panel, fire service, health board and police
to implement the scheme. The idea for the programme was put forward
by the council’s community safety partnership.

Glasgow Council head of restorative justice service Alan Speirs
said it would fill a void in tackling under-16 petty crime and
disorder.