Serving community justice without a big stick Justice is served in many ways.

Often, despite what some might |think, justice can be best served for a community and an individual with low-key, small measures that have high impact.

In Eastleigh justice is being served at grassroots level. Street level indeed.

As this paper reports today, a project to offer offenders who have carried out low-grade offences the chance to make amends to those they have offended in person and help to clear up their mess, is paying dividends.

And while emphasis will no doubt be placed on the fact some of these offenders have been caught relieving themselves in public, a certain cue for ribald comments, it is the message behind the acts of redemption that should make the headlines.

By saying sorry to those they have offended, both sides find some closure.

Street-level justice works. The big stick is not always the way for a community to police itself.

The lesson should be learnt and used elsewhere in Hampshire