CROOKS who escaped with cautions for crimes including glassing victims in a pub and setting up a drugs factory could be punished again.

An expert panel, chaired by deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Lindsay Whitehouse, has reviewed a number of cases originally dealt with by Essex Police.

100 cases, all of which were dealt with by caution or community resolution, are passed to the chairman, who picks ten to be reviewed.

If the panel feels the “out of court disposal” was wrong the cases are sent back to the force to look at again.

During the last quarterly meeting the panel referred back cases including GBH, cannabis production and possession of an offensive weapon.

Mr Whitehouse said: “It is absolutely imperative cautions and community resolutions are not only used appropriately but with the co-operation and support of victims.

"The panel doesn’t seek to criticise the work of police but rather aims to support and facilitate learning as to whether out of court disposals are appropriate.”

Nigel Le Gresley, a member of the panel and chairman of the Essex Magistrates’ Association, said: "Out of Court disposals do have a role but they need to be scrutinised.”