A scheme to make criminals apologise to their victims is being introduced in the rest of the county following a successful trial run in Hawkinge.
 

The Police's crime apology scheme was piloted in areas including Hawkinge, Cheriton, Maidstone, Staplehurst and Tunbridge Wells.

More criminals will be made to apologise to their victims in a new approach to stop re-offending in Kent.

In face-to-face meetings, victims are given the chance to tell offenders the real impact of their crimes, to get answers and to receive an apology.

Evidence showed that people who have to face up to their victims are unlikely to commit more crime say Kent Police.

The scheme is also being used as an alternative to arresting young people and bringing them before a court.