THERE are many good reasons for not wanting to clog the courts up with minor offences. Prosecuting a case through the law courts is expensive. And each petty offence which goes to court is using up the time of police officers and prosecutors alike, and potentially delaying the prosecution of a more serious offence.

It is easy to see why police are keen to keep minor cases out of court where possible, therefore - often through the use of fixed penalty notices, or else ‘community resolutions’.

These latter allow officers to use their judgement about the best way to deal with an offence, and may include asking offenders to apologise to victims or to provide compensation.

An important part of being able to move on with life for crime victims, however, is that they can see that justice has been done.

While we understand the pressure on police and the legal system to deal with cases out of court, therefore, it is hugely important that the victim’s need for closure is not overlooked.

The latest report into the use of ‘Out of Court Disposals’ (OCDs) by the police in North Yorkshire suggests that by and large they are being used sensibly, and more in line with national guidelines than was the case a few years ago. Only six per cent of OCDs were issued inappropriately, the report found.

Nonetheless, North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Julian Mulligan admits that victims’ views are not always sought - or, where they are, aren’t always recorded properly.

That is unacceptable, and we look forward to further improvements being made.