ALMOST 6,000 criminals have been let off without formal action in East Lancashire over the past five years.

Police have been using community resolution orders, an informal agreement between the victim and offenders, to resolve minor offences or anti-social behaviour. Officers use the orders as an alternative to pursuing a case through the courts.

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Now Lancashire Police have come under fire for using the measures as a “slap on the wrist” for serious crimes.

Although the Ministry of Justice states orders are primarily aimed at first time criminals committing minor offences, figures released to the Lancashire Telegraph under Freedom of Information Laws show that they have been used for everything from threats to murder, to drug trafficking and even sexual activity involving children.

Between September 2009 and September 2010 278 community resolution orders were used, but by last year this had risen to 2,662.

Last year orders were handed out to drug traffickers, arsonists and sex offenders, including someone who sexually assaulted a child.

When deciding whether to use the orders officers assess an offence, taking into account the wishes of the victim and the offender’s history.

Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle said the measures had been designed to deal with “very minor” offences, and were being used inappropriately by police as a ‘slap on the wrist’.

But Lancashire Police defended their use. A spokesman said: “Community resolutions provide police with a timely, effective and transparent means for dealing with lower level incidents.”