A pioneering scheme to resolve disputes between neighbours and reduce low- level anti-social behaviour without involving police or courts was launched today in Knowle West.

Called Filwood Restorative Approach, it follows a successful pilot project which has involved residents in the Knowle West area working together.

The aim is to get people together to resolve conflicts that affect their quality of life such as noisy neighbours, nuisance pets, minor vandalism and careless parking.

By discussing the issues with a trained mediator, usually also a local resident, the problem can be tackled before it becomes deep-rooted and spirals into a criminal offence or affects the health of those involved.

The scheme has been developed and supported by Safer Bristol, the partnership of public agencies working together to create safer communities.

It has been funded by Bristol City Council and is supported by Avon and Somerset police. Officers in Knowle West carry information about the scheme.

Cynthia Goldstein, co-ordinator of Filwood Restorative Approach, believes most problems can be resolved by sitting down together, talking them through and then getting agreement on what each side can do to make things better.

"We deal with things that the police aren't able to deal with because they're not crimes," said Cynthia.

"But they can often get out of hand and lead to crimes being committed. They can also take root and over time affect a whole area with a lot of bad feeling.

"But if you get people together to discuss the issues, you can prevent it escalating. If the individuals causing the disturbance see first-hand the upset their actions are causing then they will often act differently in the future.

"For those being affected, just having someone to listen to their problem is a huge help and makes them feel a lot less angry about it."

Cynthia stressed that taking part in the scheme was not an easy option. At the end of the process an agreement is drawn up and signed by both parties which commits them to certain behaviour in the future.

So far Cynthia and 12 Knowle West residents have had six days training with Marian Liebmann, a world expert in restorative justice and former director of Mediation UK.

Cynthia also arranges ongoing training with these volunteers in subjects such as anger management.

Similar schemes have been launched across the country to tackle minor crimes, including a successful project in Chard which brings together offenders and their victims to agree punishments such as repairing property.

However, the Filwood scheme is the only one in the country tackling neighbour disputes and anti-social behaviour.

Of the seven cases dealt with under the pilot project, three have been successfully resolved and the others are either ongoing, have been partially resolved or stopped due to other factors.

"Everyone has benefited by taking part," said Cynthia. "It's about changing attitudes. It's a free, independent service. We don't take sides and it's confidential."

For more information contact the scheme on 0117 908 4229