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Antisocial Behaviour & Restorative Options

Restorative Meetings
Restorative Meetings are a way of dealing with some types of crime and / or anti social behaviour.  They bring together the person responsible for the crime or anti social behaviour and the person affected by the crime or anti social behaviour.  All people taking part are provided with support by our approved facilitators. 

Restorative Meetings offer you the chance to tell the person responsible for crime or anti social behaviour how their behaviour has affected you.  The person responsible will then be given the opportunity to repair this harm and make amends.  A Restorative Meeting is a free service provided to Manchester residents and aims to support everyone involved to put things right.  The process will only take place if both you and the person responsible for the crime or anti social behaviour want it to, and if our team agrees it is appropriate. 

Our facilitators usually support you to take part in a face to face meeting because we find this approach to have the most positive outcomes.  They will take time to meet with you individually and help you prepare for the Restorative Meeting.  However there are other options that can be discussed with you if necessary.    

Why take part in a Restorative Meeting
You have experienced harm caused by criminal or anti social behaviour and would like the opportunity to meet with the person responsible to explain the harm they have caused you.  You may also have some suggestions as to how this harm can be repaired.  You might have some questions you want to ask the person responsible to enable you to have a better understanding of what happened and why.

Our aim is to support and empower people who have been harmed by anti social behaviour or crimes so they have better understanding of why the incident happened and reduce fear of crime.  Importantly we want you to feel satisfied that you have been listened to and your concerns have been taken seriously. 
Taking part in a Restorative Meeting may be an alternative to formal legal proceedings but this is not an easy option for the person responsible for the crime or anti social behaviour. 

This person will hear how their behaviour has caused you harm and be supported to take responsibility for their actions.  They may be asked questions they find challenging to answer.  Bringing people together face to face is a really powerful way to deter people from committing crime or anti social behaviour again in the future.

When can a Restorative Meeting be held?
When someone has committed a crime or behaved in an anti social way and they admit their actions.
When the person harmed by the behaviour or the person responsible for the behaviour requests one. 
When the person who has committed the crime or anti social behaviour and the person affected by the behaviour both want to resolve it in this way and are willing to take part.  When a professional agency such as the Council, police or a housing provider believes it is the most appropriate way to resolve a community issue and everyone is willing to take part.  

What will happen if I and the person responsible for the crime or anti social behaviour agree to be involved?
One of our Restorative Meeting providers will contact you to arrange for two trained facilitators to meet with you at your home or another location.  The facilitators will discuss with you what happened, how the behaviour affected you and what you think needs to happen now so that the harm caused can be repaired.  The facilitators will meet separately with the person responsible for the crime or anti social behaviour and then invite you and the other person to take part in a Restorative Meeting held at a neutral place. 

What is the outcome of a Restorative Meeting?
We cannot say exactly what the outcome may be because each case is different and those involved in the process find outcomes that are appropriate to them and the individual circumstances of their case.  In many cases an agreement is reached between those involved in the process.  The referring officer (for example council/police/housing officer) is updated following the Restorative Meeting and will receive information to confirm who attended and a summary of the outcome.  If the person responsible for a crime drops out of the process the referring police officer will be notified and the police will review the crime and decide whether or not formal criminal proceedings will be pursued.

If through a Restorative Meeting we find that someone needs extra helps or support (e.g. alcohol or drugs) we will provide them with information of services in their area or offer to make a referral on their behalf.  The Restorative Meeting provider will contact you again approximately six weeks after the Restorative Meeting to check how things have been since the meeting.

How to find out more information?
Email: asb.action.team@manchester.gov.uk
Telephone: 0161 234 4612
Letter: Anti Social Behaviour Action Team, PO Box 532, Manchester, M60 2LA