People arrested for minor offences or anti-social behaviour in mid-Devon are being given the chance to make amends instead of being branded criminals, under the system of restorative justice.
It enables the victim of their crime to decide how they'd like the offender to be dealt with - possibly by having to apologise, repair damage or carry out some service to the community.
Police say the system is proving popular with the public, who often don't want to see a young first-time offender treated like a criminal or made to go through the court system, but still want to see the offence dealt with fairly.
Offenders also appreciate the chance to make reparation for what they've done and put the problem behind them.
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