I BELIEVE in rehabilitation, restorative justice and, whenever possible, keeping offenders out of gaol.

But, I am completely opposed to Cleveland Divert, whereby Cleveland Police intend letting off low-level offenders, provided they agree to have their personal problems sorted out.

In the UK there are countless millions of law-abiding people who would love to get their lives sorted, be it finances, jobs or relationships, but most have to soldier on alone.

Soon, however, the way to get help in the Cleveland Police area will be to commit a minor crime, knowing there is little likelihood of prosecution. Whilst law-abiding citizens are left to stew, criminals get favours. Where’s the justice in that?

Instead of rewarding offenders, Cleveland Police should put more effort into reforming potential criminals before they commit an offence and deterring crime generally by putting our bobbies back on the beat.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Barry Coppinger, should throw out this irrational, unfair initiative before Cleveland Police’s credibility is again put under the cosh.

Steve Kay, Redcar & Cleveland Councillor (Ind)