A NEW restorative justice hub will be given the royal seal of approval today (Monday, May 18).

The Princess Royal will officially launch Darlington’s new Restorative Justice Hub during a visit to the town this afternoon.

During the visit she will meet those involved with the neighbourhood resolution team who help to bring the perpetrators of low level crimes, antisocial behaviour and neighbourly disputes face-to-face with their victims to make amends, focusing on what the victim wants and needs.

About 90 members of the public have been trained as community restorative facilitators, who support victims and offenders, and more than 350 people have been referred to the team during the last 18 months.

The royal visitor will also be presented with a sculpture by local artist and blacksmith Adrian Wood, and visit the Mayor’s Parlour where three silver candlesticks that were presented to her on her first visit to the town hall on May, 27, 1970 will be on display.

The candlesticks were a gift to commemorate the princess officially opening the building and were left with the council for safekeeping.

The princess will visit Darlington after officially opening Durham Police’s new base at the Aykley Heads estate, in Durham.

During the two-hour tour the royal visitor will unveil a commemorative plaque, take part in a tree-planting ceremony to mark the 175th anniversary of Durham Constabulary and be given a guided look round several of the operational departments based in the new building.