A pioneering restorative justice scheme in Bradford, aimed at linking up offenders with their victims, has been flagged up as a good example to share with other communities in West Yorkshire.

West Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel, at a meeting yesterday, discussed how good practices in Community Safety Partnerships could be shared.

Councillor Imran Hussain, a Bradford member of the Panel and deputy leader on Bradford Council, said the restorative justice scheme in Bradford, known as neighbourhood resolution panels, was cited as a good example of a scheme that others could use.

Coun Hussain, the Council’s executive member for safer communities, said the scheme was a success story.

“It was cited, at the meeting, as a prime example of really good practice that should be shared,” he said.

“There was a general consensus at the meeting that there should be close working between Community Safety Partnerships and officers of West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson.”

Coun Hussain said: “Neighbourhood resolution panels are a good example of how partnerships, and particularly Community Safety Partnerships, are working.

“They are something involving many volunteers and have reaped benefits for various people who have participated in this programme.

“It is testimony to Bradford that other Community Safety Partnerships, and districts, have asked for this as a way forward as an excellent example of good practice.”

The panels were introduced last year to deal with low level crime and anti-social behaviour as a way of not going to court. It allows offenders to apologise to their victims and resolve their differences.

A report, looking into the first 12 months of the scheme, said it compared favourable with others nationally. Coun Hussain said the Crime Panel agreed that its relationship with the PCC was working well.

The panel also agreed that Leeds councillor Alison Lowe should take over as its chairman from Peter Box, who had agreed to step down once the panel had been established.