No criminal action will be taken against a man arrested on suspicion of racial abuse during Morecambe’s game at Barrow earlier this season.
A man was bailed after he was arrested on suspicion of racially abusing a Barrow AFC staff member during the game with the Shrimps in League Two on October 31 at Holker Street, contrary to Section 4a of the Public Order Act.
Cumbria Police say the matter has been dealt with by a mechanism called a ‘Community Resolution’.
Exact details of what the resolution involves haven’t been revealed, but such orders are offered when someone admits an offence, and in most cases, where the victim has agreed that they do not want more formal action taken.
In a statement to Beyond Radio, a spokesperson for Cumbria Police said: ’’The matter has been dealt with like this as it was deemed a proportionate response once all factors have been weighed up.
‘’Community Resolutions are another way of dealing with matters as an alternative to a charge, in the same way as cautions may be used as an alternative also – or you may receive a speeding fine instead of a court appearance, as it was more proportionate to deal with matters in this way.’’
Community Resolutions do not constitute a criminal record but can be taken into consideration in future conduct.
A Community Resolution is a fairly recent method of police dealing with minor offences. It supports the professional judgment of police officers to assess an offence, the wishes of the victim and the offender’s history in order to reach an outcome which best meets the interests of the victim and of the public.
Resolutions can include simple words of advice, a quick and informal meeting between the victim and the offender to reach an outcome agreement, or being referred to a support service.