Our Restorative City

What is it?

Brighton & Hove City Council, Sussex Police and the local Police and Crime Commissioner are asking individuals and communities to join us in becoming part of a restorative city. A restorative city is a city where residents are offered, and have access to, opportunities to address crime and conflict through safe, secure and effective restorative practice.

Restorative practice employs various methods of bringing those harmed by crime or conflict and those responsible for harm into communication, enabling everyone affected by a particular incident to play a part in repairing the harm and finding a positive way forward (Restorative Justice Council, 2015).

We believe that crime and conflict causes harm to individuals, families and communities and by using restorative practice we can reduce this harm.

Why are we doing it?

Although restorative practice is most well-known for its use in the criminal justice system due to the mounting evidence of its success, it is now being embedded in schools, various housing environments, workplaces and communities across the world. These approaches to dealing with conflict can benefit individuals and communities within Brighton & Hove in the following ways:

• Restorative practice is shown to reduce re-offending; 27% fewer crimes were committed by offenders after they’d taken part in a restorative conference compared to those who hadn’t participated (Restorative Bristol, 2013).
• Restorative practices are able to improve victim satisfaction and increase public confidence; 94% of victims who have experienced a restorative intervention say that they are confident that the police and partners can deal with crime and Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB). 91% stated that they are confident that restorative practice itself can deal with crime and ASB and 81% believe that restorative interventions can change offending behaviour (Norfolk Annual Statistical Return, 2009/10).
• Restorative practice gives value for money by having a significant impact on cost-saving and resources; on average Restorative Conferencing demonstrated cost-savings of £9 to every £1 spent through reductions in the frequency of offending (Shapland, 2004-2008).

How are we doing it?

Evidence of restorative practice already exists throughout the city. It is therefore our aim to build on existing practices and raise awareness in order to deliver consistently high quality restorative practices across services. This will be done via the following actions;

• Mapping existing restorative practice and identifying best practice.
• Embedding restorative practice across the criminal justice system and other front line council services (housing, community safety, environmental health, education, children and family services) by running a series of pilot projects.
• Ensure that front line officers with responsibility for victim and offender care are fully conversant with restorative practice and can evidence their effective use.
• Raise awareness with council officers, so that they have an understanding of the practice and have knowledge as to where victims and perpetrators can be referred to.
• Inform individuals and communities about engaging with restorative practice.

What can I do?

If you would like to know more about restorative practise in Brighton and Hove please contact Grace Loseby – Restorative Practices Development Officer (E: Grace.Loseby@Brighton-Hove.gov.uk) . We would also like to hear from anyone who is interested in working with us and others to create “Our Restorative City” e.g. community groups, third sector organisations, and restorative practitioners alike.

You can keep up to date with our progress here.

Further information:

Restorative Justice Council

Sussex Restorative Justice Partnership