Out of Court Resolutions refers to a range of options available to the Police to resolve crimes without going to court. Police are able to deal with less serious offences and with offenders will little or no previous offending in a way which is proportionate and rehabilitative. The resolutions are also designed to make good or repair the harm or loss caused to the victim.
ASCEND is a team made up of Police Officers and Staff who support the delivery of Out of Court Resolutions for adults in Avon and Somerset Police.
ASCEND workers will hold appointments with individuals who are being issued with an out of court resolution. They will undertake a needs assessment and identify interventions and support needed to address the offending behaviour and agree conditions to be complied with.
They will also identify how the victim’s loss and harm can addressed through tools including compensation, restrictive conditions and Restorative Justice.
Avon and Somerset Police work in partnership with statutory, voluntary and community organisations to ensure a holistic approach to supporting an individual. This ensures that the most appropriate intervention and service is available to address the causes of the individual’s offending behaviour and reduce reoffending.
The Pathways are: