PENDLE MP Andrew Stephenson has backed new powers allowing victims of anti-social behaviour to have their say on out-of-court punishments of offenders.

The Community Remedy will give victims of crime the chance to choose from a list of punishment options.

Mr Stephenson said: “Victims of anti-social behaviour can feel powerless but these tough new community sentences will give victims their voice.

“Under the Community Remedy the punishment could be restorative or punitive, carried out nearby or as far away as possible but all will have one thing in common: they will be chosen by the victim. I know local people want to see tough and fair punishments. These new sentences will mean just that.”