Community resolution

An informal police outcome for minor crime, such as an apology or paying for damage. It is not a conviction or a caution.

A community resolution is an informal, non-statutory way for police to deal with low-level crime and antisocial behaviour without a caution or prosecution. The person must accept responsibility for what happened. Police normally seek the victim's views, although a supervisor can approve a resolution without the victim's agreement. It often involves an apology, paying for or repairing damage, or taking part in restorative justice. It is not a conviction or a caution, and it does not appear on a basic DBS check. However, police record it on their systems, and it may be disclosed on an enhanced DBS check if the police consider it relevant to the job or role applied for. If the person does not do what was agreed, police do not usually take further action. Because accepting one involves admitting responsibility, some people get free legal advice first.

Checked as at 25 September 2026. General information only, not legal advice.