THOUSANDS of thugs arrested for attacking women, wielding guns and groping strangers were let off last year — when they promised to apologise or join a library class.
Figures uncovered in a Sun on Sunday investigation show the controversial “diversionary tactics” approach was used 22,442 times by cops.
Officially known by the Home Office as Outcome 22 (O22), it allows police to drop proceedings without an admission of guilt if an accused agrees to join rehab schemes such as library groups or football teams.
Critics called for the use of the scheme to be scaled back to its original purpose or scrapped entirely.
The provision was brought in on the recommendation of David Lammy to tackle low-level crime by young, first-time offenders who could change their ways.
Mr Lammy is now Justice Secretary, presiding over record-high court backlogs.
But some fear O22 has become a way to avoid a costly and lengthy court process, meaning victims do not get proper justice.
Ex-Met Police detective Peter Bleksley fumed: “It was a nonsense in its conception. It’s been pathetic in its usage.
“And it was only ever designed by people who want to take the easy way out.”
Home Office figures show 10,000 people nabbed over alleged violent offences were let go last year.
Among them were 1,234 alleged sex attackers and gropers; 616 knife and gun suspects; and 727 people accused of child cruelty.
