Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes asks what punishments victims would like to see

Published: 00:01, 05 August 2014

Victims of crime will be asked to choose from a menu of options when it comes to doling out punishments on offenders.

Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes is asking people to tell her exactly what type of punishments they would like to see on the list.

The options apply to low-level crimes such as vandalism and anti-social behavior.

Punishments could include offenders writing a letter of apology, paying for damage to be repaired or working to benefit the local community.

But the commissioner is open to suggestions via an online survey.

Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes said: "I want to hear from as many people as possible in Kent to find out whether the remedies we and other commissioners are looking at are the ones that would work for victims.

"Or perhaps there are other resolutions that could work? If that is the case then please let us know."

Suggested punishments include clearing up graffiti

The move comes after recent legislation placed a statutory duty on all commissioners to develop a Community Remedy Document by October.

Community Remedy is contained in Part six of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act which became law in March this year. The aim is to settle matters out of court.