They admitted vandalising sheds and greenhouses on a Huddersfield allotment plot.

And now the three young boys responsible for the damage have met up with their victims to try and put things right.

Police arranged the face to face meeting so that the youngsters can learn about the impact of their crimes directly from one of the victims.

The boys, two aged 13 and one aged 12, had admitted they caused mindless damage to the Hangingstone Road allotments in Berry Brow back in January.

All three visited the site at the weekend with their fathers.

When questioned by police they admitted causing damage, which included smashing the windows of a number of sheds and greenhouses, and the visit was agreed with all parties as part of a community resolution.

Police often punish first-time minor offenders using ‘community resolutions’ where offenders will meet their victims to discuss the impact their crime has had and how amends can be made.

Pc Scott Gardner, PCSO Anna Haigh and allotment owner John Covell showed the boys and their parents the extent of the damage they had caused and explained the implications of the damage for users of the allotments.

The boys gave sincere apologies to the allotment owner and users of the allotments and also retrieved several tyres they had rolled to the bottom of a hill.

Insp Jon Dunkerley, of Huddersfield Neighbourhood Policing Team, added: “PC Gardner has worked hard to investigate this matter and bring the matter to a successful conclusion for the victims of this crime.

“The youths responsible have been dealt with by means of restorative justice which the complainant Mr Covell fully supported. The meeting gave him the ability to explain to these boys what the real impact of the crime was.”