Restorative justice schemes confronting dissident republican threats and serious crime in west Belfast should be recognised for funding, a report said today.
Community programmes in the city and in Derry have seen improving relations with the police, the Criminal Justice Inspectorate (CJI) said.
Workers organise face-to-face meetings between victims and offenders and can recommend some cases be dealt with outside the courts.
The report warned that schemes must be monitored closely and an independent complaints mechanism put in place.
"Subject to those points, the balance between risks and opportunities has moved in favour of the schemes, and we recommend that they should now be accredited," it said.
Central offices in Belfast and Derry plus schemes in Andersonstown, Twinbrook, Falls, Upper Springfield, Ballymagroarty, Brandywell, Creggan and Shantallow could apply for official money if the CJI call is heeded.
The report, Community Restorative Justice Ireland - Report Of An Inspection, admitted that loyalist and republican schemes had attracted political criticism because of the fear that former paramilitaries could become involved.
Historic antipathy towards the police has been cited but the inspectorate said there was evidence of improving relations.
"CJI has always seen the approach to them as a balance of risks and opportunities: risks if they were to behave improperly, but opportunities if they could be brought into a proper relationship with the police, and could help
the police to reach out to communities which were formerly alienated and poorly served," the report added.
The report is a follow-up to an initial inspection carried out last year which said Belfast schemes were working on some serious crime and threats from dissident paramilitaries.
Those in the north west involved keeping peace in their communities and resolving disputes.
They faced tight finances and lost a little support in the last nine months.
"Nevertheless, they have come through that period with the schemes still intact, with improved practice, improved recording of cases and steadily improving relations with the police," the paper added.
PA