A police scheme to bring low-level offenders face-to-face with their victims is to be rolled out across the county as a means of avoiding criminalising people for minor offences.

According to Kent Police, the Restorative Justice scheme brings together victims, offenders and communities to decide on a response to a particular crime or incident.

Det Insp Steve Woollett, who is leading the initiative, said: "Evidence shows that it is a very powerful tool. We want to use it as an alternative to criminalising people for low level crimes.

"This gives police officers the opportunity to use their discretion to sort issues out rather than arresting people unnecessarily."

Police recently used the tool in Tunbridge Wells where three teenage girls were detained on suspicion of stealing make-up from a shop. The manager agreed to accept an apology and for the girls to each pay an £80 civil loss recovery notice, rather than the teenagers being arrested.

Another incident in Dymchurch involving youngsters playing ball games on a communal grass area ended happily.

A spokesman said: "The police and the council were receiving complaints about youngsters causing a nuisance with balls hitting cars and fences and there were arguments involving residents and parents.

"Sgt Jim Watson set up a meeting with the youngsters, their parents and residents and once the children and teenagers were made aware of how much their activities upset, worried and disturbed neighbours they agreed to play elsewhere, or to use a softer ball.

"The police have not received any complaints since the intervention, back in July."

Sgt Watson said: "Something which had been an issue and caused a lot of trouble for some time was that simple to sort out. If the level of anger and upset had been left this situation would have escalated and could have resulted in arrests."