A FORM of cautioning has been introduced into the Bromley borough by police.

Conditional cautioning gives offenders the chance to avoid being arrested by atoning for their offence.

If they fail to meet the conditions imposed by the caution they can face prosecution.

Conditional cautions only apply to people aged over 18 who admit low-level offences.

The first ever such caution used in the borough ordered a man to pay £140 for causing damage to a bus.

Inspector Andy Johnstone of Bromley police said: "Conditional cautioning aims to provide a speedy response to offending behaviour.

"One main advantage of the scheme is we can resolve cases of low-level offending without the need to go through the court process.

"This in turn frees up courts to deal with more serious offences."