Citation

Simmonds L. Crime Prev. Community Safety 2001; 3(3): 41-52.

Affiliation

Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of Plymouth, UK

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group -- Palgrave-Macmillan)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Neighbour disputes have become increasingly recognised as a problem in that if unresolved they may lead to (serious) crime. This is especially pertinent against the current backdrop of 'community safety'. However, in England and Wales the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, although concerned with 'anti-social behaviour', does not immediately embrace such disputes. Community mediation may, nevertheless, represent a more accessible and, perhaps, more appropriate remedy for this type of conflict, while at the same mirroring the 'restorative' shift occurring within criminal justice. In considering the value of mediation this paper uses measures of satisfaction that relate to both outcomes and process. Overall it presents a positive view of the service, but attention is also paid to the potential misuse of community mediation.