Community Justice

Welcome to Community Justice in Leicester

Community Justice is part of the Government's agenda to tackle anti social behaviour and the crime associated with it, makeing life better for everyone. 

Community Justice brings the justice system and the commuity together: solving problems, reducing crime and building confidence.  

Who is Involved?

Community Justice is a Government initiative being delivered and supported locally by the Leicestershire and Rutland Criminal Justice Board. 

What does it mean in Practice?

Minor crimes and offences that are identified by the local community as being of particular importance to them that are committed in the Saffron Lane area will be heard at the Community Justice Court.  The Community Justice Court will sit weekly within Leicester Magistrates' Court on Tuesdays. 

Leicestershire Constabulary, the Courts and Crown Prosecution Service will identify crimes committed against the community in the designated area and will take those accused of them to the Community Justice Court.  Judges and Magistrates will listen to the community to find out what their priorities and concerns are.  They will also have the findings from locally done research amongst residents about crime in their community. 

The Magistrates will have access to a local problem-solving team who will identify the underlying problems causing an offender to commit crime and will advise the Court on a range of options to deal with these problems e.g addiction, debt, education needs.  The community will also be asked to identify local projects that can be carried out as unpaid work. 

How does a Community Justice Court differ from a Magistrates' Court?

Community Justice Courts are special sessions held within the Magistrates' Courts.  The Magistrates and District Judges who sit in the Community Justice Court take a special interest in the issues and concerns of the local community and use this knowledge when deciding on how to deal with offenders. 

What else will be happening beyond the Court?

Ongoing consultation with the local community will continue to ensure that the Magistrtes have up-to-date local knowledge.  Follow-up events will take place to ensure that all stakeholders and local people stay well informed. 

There are plans to establish a 'one-stop-shop' for all queries relating to crime and anti social behaviour in the Safron Lane area.  The Community will also be able to get involved in local clean-up programmes, making the area safer and volunteering for roles such as mentoring local youths. 

Why has the Saffron Lane area been chosen?

Saffron Lane is a community close to the city centre of Leicester that, in common with any other area, suffers from crime and anti-social problems.  There are already many supporting programmes running in the area such as Neighbourhood Policing and Leicester is one of the trial areas for 101, the new 24-hour number to call provided by Police and local Council to deal with community safety issues.  The Neighbourhood Management area and policing area are very closely matched. 

It is expected that the project will achieve benefits that may be considered for other parts of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. 

Has this scheme been launched anywhere else in the Country?

The expansion of the Community Justice Initiative follows the success of the Community Justice Centre North Liverpool and the Salford Communith Justice Initiative, both of which have been running since autumn 2005. 

In addition to Leicester, Community Justice initiatives have been or are being launced in Middlesbrough, Nottingham, Deven and Cornwall, Bradford, Hull, Birmingham, Merthyr Tydfil and three locations in London; Haringey, Newham and Wandsworth. 

How does Community Justice differ from CJSSS (Simple, Speedy, Summary Justice)?

CJSSS is about processes.  CJSSS aims to improve the way that cases are managed and dealt with, focusing on the methods that make the justice system work well.  This programme will be launched in Leicester in December 2007.  Community Justice aims to bring the justice system closer to the community it serves, reflecting local priorities in the work it carries out.  

The two initiatives complement one another.  

Contact Us

If you have any comments about Community Justice Leicester, please email us by clicking here. 

Or write to:
Kate Broadhurst
Community Justice Leicester,
148 New Walk,
Leicester
LE1 7QA

Press Releases

Community Justice Expands across Leicestershire - October 08
Community Justice Highcross - October 08

You can visit the National Community Justice website by clicking here. 

Leicestershire and Rutland Criminal Justice Board | Beaumont Leys Police Station | 1st Floor | 2 Beaumont Way | Leicester | LE4 1DS

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