Children 'sorry' after throwing stones on A11

Adam GrettonFive youngsters have apologised to a driver after being caught throwing stones onto the A11 dual carriageway at Attleborough.The 11-year-olds were found to be dropping stones from the blue pedestrian bridge across the A11 at West Carr Road onto passing traffic last month.Adam Gretton

Five youngsters have apologised to a driver after being caught throwing stones onto the A11 dual carriageway at Attleborough.

The 11-year-olds were found to be dropping stones from the blue pedestrian bridge across the A11 at West Carr Road onto passing traffic last month.

The youngsters have now said sorry to a driver, who was left shaken by the incident on September 27, as part of Norfolk Police's restorative justice project.

The three girls and two boys met the driver as part of the scheme, which is an alternative to criminal prosecution and brings together offenders of low level crime and their victims to resolve the matter.

Attleborough PC Jacquie Tobin said the youngsters had apologised to the driver and promised not to do it again.

'Many children do not understand the impact that antisocial behaviour has on others. Restorative justice brings them face-to-face with those their behaviour has affected and gives them the chance to make amends rather than being unnecessarily criminalised.

'The RJ conference made the youngsters realise the dangers they could have caused to road users. All parties involved were happy with the outcome.'

'Attleborough neighbourhood policing team will be going into schools to educate youngsters about road safety and the consequences of inappropriate behaviour at the roadside.'

To contact Attleborough Safer Neighbourhood Team call 0845 456 4567 or email sntattleborough@norfolk.pnn.police.uk.