A SCHEME to reduce re-offending could be on the way for Weymouth and Portland.

Councillors will discuss introducing the Neighbourhood Justice Panel at a meeting next week.

The scheme has been fully funded by the office of Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) until March 2016 and will not require any additional money from the council.

It comes off the back of a successful pilot scheme in 2010.

The Neighbourhood Justice Panel gives a victim the chance to meet with the perpetrator in a formal setting with a trained facilitator.

Its aim is to get the perpetrator to understand the effects of their actions and, as a result, deter them from committing further crimes.

It is estimated that every £1 spent on restorative justice saves £8 by reducing the cost the taxpayer has to spend on re-offenders.

Restorative justice is said to have reduced re-offending rates by 14 per cent since its introduction and the government has made £29m available for restorative justice over the next three years.

In 2014/15 the PCC's office provided £16,000 for the West Dorset scheme and also to support the roll-out in Weymouth and Portland.

For 2015/16 it is providing an additional £10,000.

Brief holder for community safety, Cllr Mike Goodman, said: "I saw the co-ordinator for the scheme and had a long discussion with him and he convinced me- I didn't need much convincing- that it was a very viable option for tackling low-level crime; particularly if it is a first offence.

"It gives an opportunity for the victim to have a say and an influence on what the perpetrator does by way of reparation.

"The thing that convinced me most was the effect it has on the victim.

"When an offence goes through the courts it can often take months and the victim doesn't get to say anything.

"But with restorative justice, the perpetrator has to sit face-to-face with the victim and hear what effect it has had on them."