Events
Criminal Justice Agencies in Support of International Women’s Day - March 8th 2009
Staff from Her Majesty’s Courts Service and Cheshire Criminal Justice Board supported an open day at Hoole Community Centre on the 7th March at the International Women’s day Festival. Information about the support available for victims of DV was provided as well as details of how to get involved in the criminal justice system as either a volunteer or member of staff.
In Cheshire criminal justice agencies have improved the support to victims of DV and rape. The area now has a number of specialist courts across the county dealing with crimes of domestic violence. Magistrates, legal advisors and prosecutors as well as Police Officers and witness service volunteers are specially trained to reduce the trauma associated with giving evidence in court in such cases.
The Police, Crown Prosecutors, Magistrates, Courts, Probation, health and voluntary sector, together with specialist support services are working together to identify, track and risk assess domestic violence cases and better share information. This partnership approach will ensure that more offenders will be brought to justice, that victims will be protected and better supported; and that further violence is prevented.
The criminal justice system use to full advantage, a range of special measures, which enable victims to give evidence in court more effectively such as use of screens in courts and video equipment.
Independent Domestic Violence Advisors, IDVAs, provided by the Domestic Abuse Family Safety Unit, also give professional support to victims throughout the progress of their case and are an important element of the specialist system that has been introduced. Their role is to ensure the safety of the victim is coordinated across the criminal justice system while giving expert advice on accessing essential services such as victim and witness agencies, housing, health, counselling and child care.
Police Authority’s Young People’s event, Northwich - 3rd November
Young people, aged between 14 to 16 from Cheshire, Halton and Warrington were invited to discuss policing……
In a series of workshops, young people were asked about:
- Police attitudes to young people
- Antisocial behaviour and social stigma
- Their views and ideas about how policing needs to be improved
- Discuss community cohesion and hate crime
- Learn about personal safety, internet safety and responsible drinking)
89 people attended the event. Stands including the LCJB, The Police Authority, Constabulary – ARC Angel, personal safety advice, how to contact the police, DISC - Drug awareness, Diversity - LGB matters, Race and faith issues, IPCC – how to make a complaint, Connexions, Youth services, Crime Concern – youth inclusion work, Youth Offending Teams attended the event.
Macclesfield Magistrates' Court Open Day - 1st November 2008
Ever wondered what happens inside a courtroom? Do you know what support is available for victims and witness of crime? Ever been interested in becoming a Magistrate? Do you know what happens when someone is given a Community Sentence? To find out more come along to the FREE Macclesfield Magistrates’ Court Open Day from 10am-3pm on 1st November as part of this year’s Inside Justice campaign.
On the day you will be able to:
-
Watch a mock trial
- See inside a prison van
- Find out how tagging works
- Have your fingerprints taken
- Discover more about community sentencing
- Hear about the work going on around drugs and alcohol
- Meet and talk to magistrates and find out how to apply to become a magistrate.
Taking part in the event are Her Majesty’s Courts Service, Cheshire Criminal Justice Board, the Crown Prosecution Service, Probation, Victim Support, Witness Liaison, Youth Offending Team, Drug Action Team and G4S who will all have information stands.
Criminal Justice Open Day at Lache Community Centre - 23rd October 2008
Come along to the FREE Criminal Justice Open Day at Lache Community Centre between 10am and 4pm on Thursday 23rd October 2008 as part of this year’s Inside Justice campaign which gets underway this Autumn.
The Inside Justice campaign, which kicks off on 17 October is a national initiative that provides a behind the scenes look at the Criminal Justice System and shows people the important part they play in it and how they can help.
On the day you can:
- See inside a prison van
- Have your fingerprints taken
- Discover more about community sentencing
- Take part in a quiz
- Meet and talk to magistrates and find out how to apply to become a magistrate.
Taking part in the event are the Criminal Justice Board, the Crown Prosecution Service, Probation, Victim Support, Witness Liaison, Youth Offending Team, Drug Action Team and G4S who will all have information stands.
The event provides the local community the chance to air their views in what will be an exciting, friendly and informative forum. It is a chance for all age groups to see for themselves how justice works.
Board Constative Meeting - 20th October
A consultative meeting with approximately 30 members of the community, inc Women’s Institute, Fire Service, Grosvenor Hotel, Chester Asian Council, Connexions, Contact Chester, Chester Crossroads, Warrington chamber of Commerce, Chester Business Club, Cheshire Association of Primary Headteachers and Cheshire Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Equality Alliance, was held to discuss CJS issues and priorities
Chair of LCJB attends Ethnic Minorities Link Reception - 20th October
Ian Rushton, LCJB Chair and Chief Crown Prosecutor, attended a reception for a delegation of visiting Bangladeshi Government officials hosted by Mr Shamsuddin Ahmed MBE, Chairman of the Ethnic Minorities Link Forum. Many representatives of local Government, businesses etc were in attendance and Ian gave a presentation about the modern CJS – 20th October
Police and Fire Service Family fun day at Winsford Police Headquarters - 21st September
Police and fire service vehicle displays, cross agency stands including the Witness Care Unit, HMCS, LCJB, Multi agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) finger printing, face painting, crime stoppers. Over 4,500 people attended.
Warrington Police and Magistrates' Court Open Day - 14th September 2008
The Northern Area open day took place on Sunday September 14 from 11am to 4pm at the Police station and Magistrates' Court in Arpley Street., Warrington.
Members of the public had the chance to explore the old Victorian cells, wander round the police museum and watch ‘mock’ trials in action at the Magistrates’ Court, which is above the police station.
Visitors also had the opportunity to meet local officers, find out more about policing in Warrington and Halton and tto ake a tour of the police station.
There were a wide range of police vehicles and equipment on display and a number of stands manned by police officers, police staff and representatives from partner agencies – including British Transport Police and local firefighters.
Children were able to take part in a variety of activities, there were also forensic displays by Crime Scene Investigators and a fly-past by the Air Support Unit.
One of the highlights of the day was a sponsored relay run around all six police stations in the Northern Area. The NPU inspectors had been set the challenge in aid of charity – and be back at Arpley Street before the event closed at 4pm.
Entry was free.
Local Criminal Justice Board Open Day - Congleton Town Hall - 31st May 2008
Over 150 people from Congleton found out for themselves how the criminal justice system works, and had a chance to get involved in our You Be the Judge event.
Criminal Justice System Open Day - Warrington Town Hall - 6th November 2007
Criminal Justice Open Day was held at Warrington Town Hall on 6th November where people could have their fingerprints taken, find out about how the criminal justice system works, meet staff from the CPS, Probation, Victim Support, Drug and Alcohol Teams and find out what volunteering and career opportunities are available.
Knutsford Crown Court School Event - 5th November 2007
Students from a Knutsford school got the chance to see how the justice system works when they attended Knutsford Crown Court on 5th November as part of Inside Justice Week. Around 240 year 9 students from the Knutsford High School took part in a mock trial in which a defendant has pleaded not guilty who stands charged with an offence of burglary. The students took the parts of many of the "civilians" in the case, and also played the roles of the jurors, giving their own considered verdicts at the end. The other parts - such as judge, prosecution and defence barristers and court clerk - were played by people who fulfil those roles in real life. The students also visited the cells at the Crown Court, got the chance to look around a prison van, saw presentations by the Police, the Crown Prosecution Service and Court staff, and visited careers stands that were organised by the criminal justice agencies: the Crown Court, the Magistrates' Court, the Cheshire Criminal Justice Board, Crown Prosecution Service, Police, witness service and victim support, the Prison Service, Probation and Youth Offending Teams.
Cheshire Criminal Justice Board Conference 2007
Over 95 staff from the Police, CPS, Probation, Prisons, Youth Offending Teams, HMCS, defence solicitors, local authorities, drug action teams and victim support across Cheshire came together at the LCJB conference at Portal Golf course on 17th October to learn more about new developments in the Criminal Justice System and to improve the way agencies work together. The theme of the event was around the Beacon Project which is being introduced in Cheshire.
So what is Beacon?
Beacon Local Criminal Justice Boards (LCJBs - Cheshire is one of 10 selected areas) will undertake detailed analyses of their criminal justice processes to find out where duplication occurs, where improvements can be made and identify their priorities for local process improvement. LCJBs are developing reform plans, combining a Core Programme of projects and their local priorities for process change. The Beacon LCJBs have received support and training from the Office for Criminal Justice Reform to develop their capability to manage and deliver their local reform plan. Work has started in the selected Beacon site Crewe and Macclesfield already and will finish around 31 March 2008 with the resulting benefits being rolled out over the rest of Cheshire.
Police and Fire Service Open Day, 9th September 2007
Once again the Cheshire Criminal Justice Board attended the annual Police and Fire Service Family Fun Day at the Cheshire Police Headquarters in Cheshire in Winsford on Sunday 9th September. The event was another great success and was an opportunity for people to find out more about the criminal justice system, why it is important to them and how they can get involved. The day includes fun fair rides, displays of vintage fire engines, competitions and a chance to see the police and fire service in action. Entry is FREE.
The Criminal Justice System, Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Policy Challenges and Opportunities - WINSFORD CIVIC HALL, Thursday 15 March, 2007
The Cheshire Criminal Justice Board supported an awareness raising and introductory training workshop aimed at Parents, Carers & Professionals; the event examined why people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome can experience conflict situations with the forces of law and order and the criminal legal system and how these can be mitigated and prevented.
Guest speakers:
Professor Digby Tantam Clinical Professor of Psychotherapy and Director of Mental Health, Sheffield University & Dr Philippa Russell CBE Disability Rights Commissioner; Disability Policy Adviser to the National children's Bureau and Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Supported by Sue Hatton, Training Manager, Autism West Midlands; Sandra Croot, Parent of a young man with Aspergers syndrome, who has experienced the criminal justice system and life in prison; D.Sgt Neil Anderton, West Midlands Police representative on West Midlands Criminal Justice Forum.
Conference Chairman: Steve Collett, Chief Officer, Cheshire Probation Service, member of the Cheshire Criminal Justice Board
Over 90 people attended on 15 March, from a range of criminal justice agencies; Residential Support Teams; Speech and Language Therapists and Behaviour Therapists; Solicitors and Legal Executives; Disability and Diversity Managers; Supported Employment Managers and Staff
Police and Fire Service Family Fun Day, Sunday 3rd September 2006
Cheshire Criminal Justice Board will be attending the Police and Fire Service free Family Fun Day at Winsford Police Headquarters on Sunday 3rd September. The day will run from 11am until 4pm with exhibitions and displays by a large range of services. There will be many activities throughout the day, including: free fun fair rides, road traffic collision demonstrations, the chance to be a detective using forensic equipment and the chance to take a look inside modern & vintage emergency service vehicles . Last year's event was a great success and the day is a great opportunity for the public to find out more about the Criminal Justice System and also for the Criminal Justice Board to find out about people's concerns.
Constabulary Headquarters, Clemonds Hey, Oakmere Road, Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 2UA
Halton Magistrates' Court Open Day, Saturday 15th October 2005
This free, fun filled Open Day for all the family, was a great chance for people of all ages to see the workings of the criminal justice system. The day included tours of court rooms and cells, mock trials, police car and motor cycle, quizzes, finger printing and also signified the official launch of the domestic violence court pilot. Events and activities ran throughout the day from 10am until 3pm.
Chester Crown Court School Event, Monday 17th October 2005
As part of Inside Justice Week over 250 pupils were invited to come and see for themselves how justice works locally at Chester Crown Court. The pupils received a tour of the cells and police vans, were given the chance to find out more about careers in the CJS at the exhibitor stands and experienced what it was like to be witnesses and jury in a mock trial involving the resident judges, prosecution lawyers and court staff.
Cheshire Criminal Justice Board conference 2006 - Putting Victims and Witnesses at the Heart of the Criminal Justice System
Cheshire Criminal Justice Board held its 3rd staff conference on 22nd March 2006. Over 80 staff were invited to take part in discussion groups both within their own agencies and in cross agency groups to discuss issues, debate solutions to the problems that we face on a daily basis, agree action plans and most importantly look at how we can put “victims and witnesses at the heart of the Criminal Justice Systemâ€. (Ian Rushton, Chief Crown Prosecutor of the Cheshire Crown Prosecution Service, pictured above)
The event brought together the different agencies that victims and witnesses come into contact with in the Criminal Justice System and was an opportunity to ensure they get appropriate assistance and support throughout the whole process. The various agencies produced action plans aimed at changing and improving our current practices and so improve the experience of the CJS for Victims and Witnesses.
pictured above: Ian Rushton; Margaret Shaughnessy, Area Manager,
Cheshire Victim Support; ACC David Baines, Cheshire Constabulary.
The conference also marked the signing of an agreement between the LCJB and Victim Support, the independent charity which helps people cope with the effects of crime, to reinforce the links the two organisations have in Cheshire. Ian Rushton, Chief Crown Prosecutor, Cheshire Crown Prosecution Service and member of the Cheshire Criminal Justice Board said: "The signing of a memorandum of understanding by the Cheshire Criminal Justice Board and Victim Support in Cheshire is a further commitment to improving our service to victims and witnesses. We work closely with Victim Support and the charity is one of the outside organisations that we consult with on a range of issues. We value the support and advice they give to both people dealing with the effects of crime and to the Board and this document formalises our relationship and hopefully strengthens it."
Cheshire Criminal Justice Board webchat
Representatives from the Cheshire Criminal Justice Board were live on-line on Tuesday night (April 11th 2006), answering questions from you about their work. Steve Collett, Chairman of the Board and Chief Officer of Cheshire Probation; Ian Rushton, Chief Crown Prosecutor of the Cheshire Crown Prosecution Service (seated in pic); Peter Fahy, Chief Constable of Cheshire Police; and Gareth Jones, manager of Halton and Warrington Youth Offending Team spent over an hour answering questions sent in by members of the public.
FIND OUT MORE...
Amongst other subjects Board members were asked questions about, the careers available in the Criminal Justice System, ASBOs, the work of the Board and the recent improvements being made for victims by criminal justice agencies in Cheshire.
You can see their answers by following this link
Inside Justice Week
Inside Justice Week is your chance to see behind the scenes of the justice system in England and Wales. Find out more by visiting the Inside Justice Week website by clicking on the following link: http://insidejustice.cjsonline.gov.uk/