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Restorative Warnings are facilitated by trained police officers and are designed to deal quickly with minor first or second offences.
The person responsible for the offence, together with their support persons, meets with a police officer for 20-30 minutes. The role of the police officer is to ensure that everyone can speak without interruption, in an open and honest manner, about the facts (what happened), the consequences (who has been affected) and the future (how future offending can be prevented).
Whilst the person harmed does not attend a warning, they do have the opportunity to be informed of the outcome and, if all participants agree, to receive a letter of apology and, in some cases, appropriate reparation.
Whilst most areas now offer restorative warnings, the aim is that they will replace Senior Police Officer warnings throughout Scotland by April 2006.
For information on the introduction of restorative warnings, please contact the relevant police force. Contact details may be found on the Police Forces in Scotland web page.
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