Meet the Burglars

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Duration: 30 minutes

Victims of burglary and other crimes are increasingly being offered the opportunity to meet the criminals who offended against them, in a controversial scheme aimed at empowering victims and potentially cut levels of re-offending among former prisoners.

Panorama reporter Raphael Rowe goes into a jail to witness a tense encounter between two young women and the youth who broke into their home while they slept.

Meetings between victims and offenders have proved to be remarkably successful in cutting reoffending and allowing victims to recover far more quickly. The government wants to see more of these restorative justice meetings used in the criminal justice system following all types of crimes.

Another victim of a horrific attack reveals to Panorama how her true motive in agreeing to meet her burglar was to get revenge and kill him.

Last on

Tue 29 Nov 2011 01:10 BBC One Wales only

See all previous episodes from Panorama

  • Victim who met attacker: 'I wanted to kill him'

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    Panorama's Raphael Rowe met Clare Topcu of Bolton, who described the night in 2009 when burglars broke into her home as she and her nine-year-old son slept.

  • Restorative Justice - Useful Websites

    A range of services and information on offer across the UK for victims interested in pursuing restorative justice.

    Click here for useful websites

Credits

Reporter
Raphael Rowe
Producer
Matthew Chapman

Broadcasts

See all broadcasts of Meet the Burglars (6)

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