Immediate Justice: Positive feedback after completion

“He's really enjoyed the sessions so far, it's a shame it has to end... a sentence you probably don't hear very often.

“I'm hoping this will be a good turning point for her, now that all the impacts and consequences have been explained to her.”

“I feel good about helping out and giving back. It's nice to help a charity and do my bit for the community.”

“It's been a lot better than I thought it would be. I have enjoyed myself as I wouldn't mind doing gardening for a job so might come back and volunteer, will give me something to do.”

“Thank you for your help. This service has definitely helped and made an improvement to my life.”

Above are just some of the messages we’ve received from people who have taken part in our Immediate Justice scheme, as well as feedback from their families.

This demonstrates the impact that this scheme is having in addressing and preventing anti-social behaviour (ASB) by helping perpetrators to think about their actions.

Since the Immediate Justice Scheme was launched in July 2023, we have referred over 450 people, with 84% of those who complete the scheme committing no further offences.

The Immediate Justice scheme has run hand in hand with the force’s hotspot patrols – both of which have been underpinned by £2.4m worth of Home Office funding secured by the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts, Police and Crime Commissioner said:

“Restorative justice is another positive tool in addressing the underlying causes of crime and reducing the risk of involvement in more serious offending. More than eight in ten of those who have successfully completed the Immediate Justice Scheme have so far not committed any further offences which is a strong indicator of its success and the value of early intervention.

“Reasonable and proportionate community-centred punishment not only helps to develop and improve skills and attitudes, it gives people a chance to reflect and an opportunity to have choose a positive path and have a better future. Tackling problem behaviour early and having a more tailored approach for individuals, has not only proven to be effective but it also helps to increase public confidence in policing and our criminal justice system as a whole. “

Becky Clough, Immediate Justice Manager for Derbyshire Constabulary said: “Getting positive feedback from those who have been part of the Immediate Scheme is a great endorsement of how people are engaging with the programme.“ The partnership approach with the education and an opportunity to make amends through reparative work is clearly impactful, for those completing the scheme as well as their families and communities.”

What is the Immediate Justice Scheme?

The Immediate Justice Scheme, which is funded by the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner, focuses on restorative justice, with offenders engaging in reparative work to give back to the community.

This can include working in a charity shop, litter picking in the local community, and many other volunteering opportunities. This not only helps in rectifying their actions but also offers a chance for personal growth and rehabilitation.

The way we use this scheme is by engaging with the person who is committing anti-social behaviour, if it’s deemed appropriate, they are referred to our partner agency Remedi.

Remedi oversees the reparative work and works closely with the person, as well as the local community, to offer volunteering opportunities so that the person can give back to their community and reflect on their actions.

A spokesperson for Remedi said:

“We are really proud to be involved in such an impactful initiative, supporting children and adults to understand the impact of ASB and give back to their community in a positive, educationally informed way.”

Remedi are looking for more organisations who could offer Immediate Justice work placements – if you need support or an extra pair of hands for community work, please contact Remedi – Derbyshire Immediate Justice on:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0300 122 7549