Thousands of offenders are getting off with Community Resolutions - here's what you need to know

Thousands of offenders have escaped prosecution through Community Resolution orders, an investigation by the BBC's Shared Data Unit has revealed.

Attempted murder, child exploitation, rape, weapons possession and drug trafficking are just some of the major crimes that have been dealt with through Community Resolutions (CRs) in England and Wales.

The findings have prompted calls for change from politicians, campaigners and experts.

What is a Community Resolution?

A Community Resolution is an out-of-court disposal which does not appear on a criminal record or standard DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. It also doesn't count as a conviction.

Its intended use is for first-time and young offenders and for less serious crimes.

They should also only be given out on an admission of guilt and always with the victim's consent.

There are clear guidelines of when a CR should and shouldn't be given out and it's recommended against using them for domestic abuse involving intimate partners and hate crime.

But hundreds of the most serious crimes have been cleared up with CRs over the years by police forces across England and Wales.

How many Community Resolutions have been handed out?

The BBC's Shared Data Unit looked at more than 15 million crime outcomes from the Home Office recorded between 2014/15 and 2017/18.

The analysis found nearly half a million Community Resolutions have been handed out since 2014, representing 3% of all outcomes of crimes recorded during that period.

Source: BBC Shared Data Unit / Home Office

Across England and Wales at least 500 CRs were issued for indictable-only offences - those so serious they are usually dealt with at crown court - between 2014 and 2018.

Such crimes included rape, drug trafficking, possession of an article with blade or point, possession of firearms, cruelty to children and even attempted murder.

Which police forces have handed out the most?

A CR is just one of several possible outcomes used by police for reported crimes and overall, the analysis found that use of CRs is generally dropping nationally.

CRs made up 4% of all outcomes in 2014/15 and 2% in 2017/18.

But eight forces across England and Wales have seen a rise in their use over that period.

As a percentage of recorded crime outcomes, Durham issued the most at 8% overall, followed by Suffolk (6%), Derbyshire (6%) and North Yorkshire (5%).

British Transport Police and the Metropolitan Police had the lowest percentage of CR outcomes with both totalling just 1%.

Similar outcomes were found in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

In Northern Ireland analysis found a growing percentage of crime outcomes are being recorded as CRs, from 4% in 2015/16 to 4.8% in 2017/18.

They were most commonly used for drugs offences, then theft, criminal damage, violence and weapons possessions.

In Scotland, Recorded Police Warnings (similar to CRs) were issued for more than 40,000 offences between 2015/16 and 2017/18.

These were for less serious crimes like consuming alcohol in a public place, urinating or vandalism.

Little more than a warning for rape

Chris Henley QC, chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, condemned the use of CRs for serious crimes.

He said: “Community Resolution Orders, which require an admission of guilt, were specifically designed to deal with less serious offences, particularly involving young and/or first time offenders.

500 CRs were issued for indictable only offences between 2014 and 2018. Image: Shutterstock

“What is clear from the figures is that contrary to their original purpose and the very clear guidance given to the police, CROs are being used to deal with more and more serious offences. This shouldn't be happening.