In June 2019 the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Shared Data Unit reported violent offenders were being handed informal punishments by the police, despite guidance restricting their use to low-level offences.
Offences including burglary, sexual assault, violence and arson have led police to issue community resolutions, which do not involve going to court.
Critics said the orders were being used "contrary to their original purpose".
The National Police Chiefs' Council said community resolutions should not be used in the most serious cases.
The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Shared Data Unit analysed crime outcomes data published by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Office from 2014 to 2018.
It found:
- About 112,000 offenders had been dealt with through community resolution orders each year since 2014
- The orders represented about 3% of all crime outcomes, but there had been a slight decline in their use over that period
From 2014 to 2018, they were issued for:
- Some 2,500 sex offences including 27 rapes (police forces said these disposals could relate to sexual activity between children including sexting)
- Some 5,000 for possession of weapons, including knives and guns
- Some 156,000 for violent offences against the person including 1,720 for cruelty to children
- Some 151,000 for theft offences including 3,555 for burglaries and 309 for aggravated vehicle taking
This piece of content was produced by a regional newspaper reporter working alongside Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ staff.
The Shared Data Unit makes data journalism available to news organisations across the media industry, as part of a partnership between the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ and the News Media Association. Stories generated by the partnership included:
- The Northern Echo: 17 June 2019
- The Northern Echo: 17 June 2019
- The Telegraph: 17 June 2019
- Daily Star: 17 June 2019
- Swindon Advertiser: 17 June 2019
- Swindon Advertiser: 17 June 2019
- Portsmouth: The News: 17 June 2019
- Portsmouth: The News: 17 June 2019
- Portsmouth: The News: 17 June 2019
- Portsmouth: The News: 17 June 2019
- Sudbury Mercury: 17 June 2019
- Ipswich Star: 17 June 2019
- East Anglian Daily Times: 17 June 2019
- Hexham Courant: 17 June 2019
- Essex: Daily Gazette: 17 June 2019
- Wigan Today: 17 June 2019
- Nottinghamshire Live: 17 June 2019
- Cumberland: News & Star: 17 June 2019
- Stourbridge News: 17 June 2019
- Dudley News: 17 June 2019
- Halesowen News: 17 June 2019
- Kidderminster: The Shuttle: 17 June 2019
- Bromsgrove Advertiser: 17 June 2019
- Redditch & Alcester Advertiser: 17 June 2019
- Droitwich Spa Advertiser: 17 June 2019
- Lancashire Telegraph: 17 June 2019
- Epping Forest Guardian: 17 June 2019
- Lancashire: The Gazette: 17 June 2019
- Bolton News: 17 June 2019
- Wales: The Leader: 17 June 2019
- The Sun: 18 June 2019
- The Times: 18 June 2019
- Daily Echo: 18 June 2019
- Hexham Courant: 18 June 2019
- Rutland & Stamford Mercury: 18 June 2019
- Express & Star: 18 June 2019
- Shropshire Star: 18 June 2019
- Worcester News: 18 June 2019
- Police Professional: 19 June 2019
- Surrey Live: 19 June 2019
- Gloucestershire Live: 20 June 2019
- Nantwich News: 20 June 2019
- Northampton Chronicle & Echo: 21 June 2019
- The Sun: 22 June 2019
- Derbyshire Times: 22 June 2019
- South Wales Argus: 24 June 2019
- Rochdale Online: 12 July 2019
The story was also used by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ South East, , , Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Surrey, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Sussex, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Leicester, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Stoke, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Tees, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Newcastle, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Stoke and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Leeds
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Background and briefing