Current initiatives

Narrowing the Justice Gap

The Justice Gap (the difference between the number of recorded crimes and the number of offences which result in the offender being brought to justice) is the key measure of the effectiveness of the Criminal Justice System. The Governement has set a target to bring 1,25 million offences to justice by March 2007 (as compared with 2001-02, when 1.026 million offences were brought to justice) and each Local Criminal Justice Board has been set an improvement target. As part of the overall national target, Local Criminal Justice Boards have also set a local target for reducing the percentage of ineffective trials and bringing more persistant offenders to justice. see how we're doing

So what are we doing about it?

  • As 10% of offenders are responsible for around 50% of all crime. We are focusing on these persistent offenders who continue to flout the law and cause misery to the public by targeting them, fast-tracking them through the system and rehabilitating them.
  • We are now ensuring that a warrant will not only be executed but executed quickly. We are creating an efficient system where there is no escape for the criminal.
  • Automatic Number Plate recognition has been introduced across Hampshire. It is a powerful technological tool which instantly scans number plates to identify vehicles of interest to the police such as stolen cars, those involved in crime or those used by wanted criminals.

Persistent Young Offenders

It is clear that the public do not believe the system is effective in dealing with young people accused of crime. We are acutely aware of this concern and have placed a great deal of emphasis on this locally. In 1996, the Government pledged to halve the time from arrest to sentance for persistent young offenders to ensure they are progressed quickly and effectively through the system. It is essential that young people are made to take greater responsibility for the actions, in order for this to take place justice needs to be swift and effective.

The criminal justice agencies in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have specific timescales for dealing with persistent young offenders to ensure the number of days from arrest to sentace is less than the national pledge of 71 days. see how we're doing

Ineffective Trials

Too many trials do not go ahead when they are supposed to. This is a huge drain on time and money but more importantly, can ultimately lead to a victim not experiencing justice and a guilty defendant being let out to offend again.

So what are we doing about it?

  • A pilot scheme has been introduced to ensure that both the defence and prosecution are ready to proceed when the trial date arrives. Early results have been extremely encouraging.
  • We are wholly committed to improving the process for victims and witnesses. As such we are working hard on witness warning and victim information.
  • In tandem with this is our ongoing drive to improve victim and witness facilities. We recognise how crucial these people are and how the process can be an ordeal for them. We have dedicated witness care units across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
  • Hampshire and Isle of Wight will be known as an area which is tough on defendants who fail to attend their hearing. Magistrates are being strongly encouraged to deal with the case in the defendant's absence or to issue a warrant for the offence of failing to appear. see how we're doing

We still need your help. 5% of trials in the Magistrates and 7% of trials in the Crown Court do not go ahead because a witness fails to attend. This is a drain on resources, takes up valuable court time and can often result in an offender walking free. If you are called to be a witness then please attend.

No Witness, No Justice

The ‘No Witness, No Justice‘ project aims to increase public confidence and improve the service provided to victims and witnesses. The project recognises that Victims and Witnesses play a fundamental role in the deliverance of criminal justice. Without them, offenders would not be brought to justice and neither victims nor society would receive justice. At present, many victims and witnesses who enter the criminal justice system do not always receive the level of information and support they need. As a result, this neglect can often lead to a withdrawal of support for the prosecution, non-attendance at court and a general dissatisfaction with the process. This leads to many failed cases and a reluctance to re- engage in the criminal justice process if required to do so in the future.

The Minimum requirements of the No Witness, No Justice project are:

  1. Areas (Portsmouth, Southampton, North Hampshire & IOW) have established dedicated Witness Care Units to manage Victim and Witness needs from point of charge to conclusion of a case
  2. Victims and Witnesses are provided with single point of contact
  3. Areas conduct a full needs assessment for victims and witnesses
  4. All victims and witnesses who have attended court are provided with outcome and sentence information in a timely fashion and thanked for their contribution
  5. Areas will increase the frequency of information that is provided to victims and witnesses throughout the life of their case

There are now 6 witness care units across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

UPDATE

Who to contact for further information regarding No Witness No Justice:

David Connor / Steve Price

NWNJ Crown Prosecution Serive
3rd Floor Black Horse House
8 – 10 Leigh Road Eastleigh
Southampton
SO50 9FH

Su Baverstoke-White
e-mail: hq.cju@hampshire.pnn.police.uk

Projects and Developments Officer
NWNJ Criminal Justice Department
PHQ West Hill Romsey Road
Winchester
Hampshire
SO22 2DB

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