MAKING the criminal put things right for the victim is the aim of new youth offending panels which come into operation from next April.o

Deciding how to treat young offenders is going to be a community decision.

The Enfield Youth Offending Team (YOT) is looking for volunteers to take part on the panels that make these decisions.

A recruitment campaign for panel members has already started.

First time offenders in the court system who plead guilty will be given a referral order of between three and 12 months by magistrates.

Youth offending panels will decide how this time should be spent.

The panels will be made up of two members of the community as decision-makers with YOT referral manager Jenny Harter acting as an adviser.

Jenny said: "This is a new sentencing process. We want to convene panels that reflect Enfield's population so I hope people from all age groups, ethnic backgrounds and interests will come forward for training."

Victims will get a say in how they feel offenders should make amends.

Jenny said: "It may be a written apology and repaying money back to victims; It could be a stint of cleaning or painting. What is important is that young offenders realise the effect of their crime on the victim."

Volunteers will be trained over seven days. Panel hearings will last up to 90 minutes and each volunteer will be called upon to sit every two weeks.

To volunteer call Jenny on 8345 5557.