Cllr Bick’s new panels will help reduce reoffending rates of low-level crime like night time antisocial behaviour.

The Lib Dem run City Council is soon to introduce new panels which will bring a fresh approach to low-level anti-social behaviour.

Victims of low-level crimes will have the opportunity to ask the criminals to meet them to discuss how to put right the damage they’ve done.

Both parties must agree to go through the process for it to take place.

“These panels will help show offenders the human consequences of their actions,” said Cllr Tim Bick.

“It will also enable ‘closure’ at a personal level for the victim,” continued Cllr Bick, the City Council’s Community Development boss.

“This won’t be appropriate in every situation, but it should nip some criminal records in the bud before they get started.”

The schemes have previously been used elsewhere in the country.

Approaches like this to low level crime have reduced re-offending rates and achieved a high satisfaction rate for the victims.