News
VICTIMS FUND - MAY 2009
The Government is investing £300,000 in projects and services run by third sector organisations that develop support for families and friends of victims of homicide.
The Home Office is pleased to announce the launch of the homicide section of the Victims Fund for the financial year 2009/10.
ENGAGING COMMUNITIES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE - GREEN PAPER - APRIL 2009
Effective community engagement is key to improving public confidence in the way in which crime is tackled and justice delivered.
The network of criminal justice services that deliver justice - the police, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the courts, prisons, and probation and youth offending teams - is complex and often hard to understand, even for those who work within it. The delivery of justice needs to be more transparent, more responsive and more accountable if people are to have confidence that justice is effective and is being administered in their interests. To drive up public confidence, justice must not only be done, but be seen to be done.
You have the opportunity to respond to Criminal Justice consultations. Consultation began on 29th April 2009 for this green paper and will close on 31st July 2009. Follow this link more more information.
Merseyside Witness Care Unit – Serious Crime Team - April 2009
The Merseyside Witness Care Unit expanded towards the end of 2008 which saw the creation of new Serious Crime Team. The Team supports witnesses affected by more serious crimes which have traditionally been dealt with by specialist police units.
The Serious Crime Team has now been up and running for a 4 month test period. During this initial four month period they have supported witnesses through trials that resulted in 10 defendants being sentenced to a total of 74 years in prison.
The team is currently caring for over 1,300 civilian witnesses in cases such as wounding, attempted murder, serious sexual offences, death by dangerous driving, attempted arson, gun crime, serious fraud, grievous bodily harm and serious drug offences. Part of the tailored service for witnesses involves arranging special measures, help with childcare, transport, referrals to support agencies, as well as providing a service to both Police Officers and the Crown Prosecution Service.
Detective Sergeant Paul Bennett from St Helens CID has recently praised the work of the Witness Care Unit. DS Bennett was involved in a case that secured convictions for 8 defendants totalling 48 years imprisonment. He said:
‘ I used the Witness Care Unit for a serious assault trial. They provided me with a point of contact so I could manage my witness’s needs and arrange special measures. The majority of the witnesses were young people and they were dealt with in a professional manner throughout, by the Witness Care Officer’.
The Witness Care Officer has since been put forward for a local award for his professionalism in dealing with the witnesses in this case.
Merseyside Witness Care Unit is jointly staffed by police and Crown Prosecution employees and is located in Liverpool city centre.
For more information about the work of the unit, access the Merseyside Witness Care Unit page using the tabs to the left of the screen.
HATE CRIME ‘ON TRIAL’
Partners from Merseyside Criminal Justice Board are holding three community events aimed at providing an insight into how the Police, Courts, Probation and other support services work in partnership to deal with hate crime.
A hate crime is defined as a crime motivated by a person’s hatred and prejudice towards an identifiable group: for example on the basis of the victim’s race, ethnicity or sexuality. The events are aimed at, but are not exclusive to the Black and Racial Minorities community, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and the Gypsy/Traveller Communities.
The events are free to attend and will last about 4 hours. The event schedule is:
- Crawford House Community Centre, 2 Gwent Street, Liverpool L8 on 4th February 2009, 5pm - 9pm for the Black and Racial Minority community
- South Sefton Magistrates’ Court, Merton Rd, Bootle, L20 on 14th February 2009, 12 - 4pm for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual community
- North Liverpool Community Justice Centre, Boundary Street, Liverpool L5 on 21st March, 12 - 4pm for the Gypsy Traveller community
All 3 events will involve a dramatised hate crime trial based on a real crime (depersonalised) using actors and experienced members of staff from the Merseyside Criminal Justice Agencies.
The audience will be asked at key points during the event to give their opinions using electronic voting pads. At the end of the trial, having heard all of the evidence, the audience will be asked to vote on an appropriate sentence for the offender. The judge will then reveal the actual sentence that was passed in relation to each case.
Structured De-Brief
Following the drama, "Stop Hate UK" an independent hate crime reporting charity will facilitate a discussion where people can freely say what they like, dislike and would change about the Criminal Justice System.
The views collated during the discussion will be given to Merseyside Criminal Justice Board and will be used to identify areas for improvements and develop plans to make changes.
This is a unique opportunity for community members to influence how services are provided in the future and to ensure their views are presented to the people who can make change happen.
Those who would prefer not to express their views in an open forum can go into the ‘Vox Pops’ booth to have their say.
An exhibition area will be located at each event where information will be provided about Criminal Justice and supporting agencies. There will also be a question and answer panel made up of representatives from each organisation and members of the public will be able to ask any questions they may have.
Refreshments and a light buffet will be provided at all venues. All aged over 14 are welcome to attend.
Booking is essential for all events, to reserve a place call 0151 777 1677 or send an email to hq.community.relations@merseyside.pnn.police.uk please type ‘Hate Crime on Trial’ in the subject box of your email.
Victims & Witnesses Conference, Merseyside 30th October 2008
For the first time in 6 years the National Victims & Witnesses conference will take place in Merseyside.
Merseyside Criminal Justice Board has brought the conference to Liverpool, it has historically taken place in London.
We are celebrating our Capital of Culture year so it is an ideal opportunity for us to showcase to the rest of the country the excellent developments and work that we do support victims and witnesses in Merseyside.
Bernard Hogan-Howe, Chief Constable and Chair of Merseyside Criminal Justice Board will open the event and Paul Whittaker, Chief Crown Prosecutor will chair the conference.
For more information including speakers, topics, workshops and how to book a place, have a look at the conference brochure.
New On-Line Help for Jurors - 30th July 2008
A new on-line guide has been launched that will help potential jurors feel better prepared when going to court. It answers questions such as will I be paid and can I choose not to serve?
The guide gives advice on responding to a summons, preparing for court, facilities at court and what to expect about the trial including being sworn in, court procedures and deciding a verdict.
Geoffrey Appleton, Acting Area Director for HMCS Merseyside and Cheshire said:
‘The new on-line guide will help members of the public feel more confident when preparing themselves for jury service. We are striving to engage with the public about the criminal justice system, this guide is one of a range of initiatives we have put in place to improve the experience of those using the courts in England and Wales. The guide uses video footage and gives an insight into the processes from when a juror arrives at court up to the verdict. It is well worth looking at.’
Serving as a jury member is one of the most important forms of public service any citizen can undertake. It gives members of the public a chance to sit in judgement over their fellow citizens and play a very hands-on role in the administration of justice.
Around 400,000 people are summoned for jury service each year, selected at random from the electoral register. Of those some 200,000 go on to serve as jurors.
Find the full guide at www.cjsonline.gov.uk/juror
Merseyside Top for Bringing Offenders to Justice - 19th June 2008
Since 2002 Merseyside has delivered the largest increase in offences brought to justice compared to other similar metropolitan areas*. This means in the last year 45,822 offences resulted in the offender being convicted by the courts, formally cautioned or receiving a penalty notice for disorder. This was 1,627 more than the target set by central government.
ACC Helen King, a member of Merseyside Criminal Justice Board says the results reflect the good work of Merseyside criminal justice agencies and the support provided by the public.
“In the last 2 years the area has seen the largest fall in crime in the country. That we have also seen the largest increase in offences brought to justice compared to similar areas is a huge achievement. It is a tribute to the determination of victims and witnesses to bring offenders to justice and to the hard work and professionalism of all those who work in the criminal justice system, including the Police, Crown Prosecution Service, Her Majesty’s Court Services, Youth Offending Services and Probation.”
Paul Whittaker, Chief Crown Prosecutor for Merseyside and member of Merseyside Criminal Justice Board commented:
“This represents very effective joint working by police and prosecutors in bringing more offenders to justice on behalf of our communities in Merseyside.
Independent Hate Crime Helpline Launches In Merseyside - April 2008
Merseyside Criminal Justice agencies today welcomed the launch of the Stop Hate UK Helpline across Merseyside.
Merseyside Criminal Justice Board has funded the Stop Hate UK Helpline to encourage the reporting of hate crime across the County.
Stop Hate UK is an independent charity that supports people affected by all types of hate crime via a unique 24-hour Stop Hate Helpline. It is free to call and can be used as an alternative to calling the police by either victims or witnesses of these crimes. All calls are confidential and details are only shared with the police and other agencies with the consent of the caller. The caller can remain anonymous. In addition to taking reports of Hate Crime, Stop Hate UK is able to provide free advice on Hate Crime issues.
Hate crime is any crime that the victim or any other person perceives is motivated by hatred because of a persons disability, gender, age, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender status. It can include verbal abuse, physical attack, offensive literature, graffiti, damage to property, arson and murder.
Bernard Hogan-Howe, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police and Chair of Merseyside Criminal Justice Board commented: ‘The fact that the Stop Hate UK Helpline is independent should boost confidence in those people who have historically shown reluctance to report to the police. We will not tolerate hate crime in Merseyside and want to encourage the reporting of such crimes. The launch of the Stop Hate UK helpline gives the victims and witnesses the opportunity to report hate incidents without calling the police directly’.
The helpline is being launched throughout Merseyside in April.
Stop Hate UK successfully runs this service in West Yorkshire, Humberside, Oldham, Peterborough and Wolverhampton.
Call Stop Hate UK to report hate crime on 0800 138 1625
Going to Court - 'A Step by Step Guide to being a Witness' DVD - January 2008
An initiative to empower witnesses going to court across Merseyside and bring down the number of cases that stall because of witnesses refusing to testify has been launched locally in Merseyside.
Her Majesty’s Courts Service (HMCS) has developed an interactive, multilingual and animated DVD to help witnesses and victims understand their crucial role in the court process. The DVD ‘Going to Court: A step by step guide to being a witness’ is an easy-to-follow animation seen through the eyes of a witness. It explains why victims and witnesses are so important in the court process and what they will do while at court. It has separate routes for prosecution and defence witnesses to follow at their own pace and witnesses can also tour a magistrates’, Crown, and youth court.
There is a frequently asked questions section at the end. The film was piloted in 2007 and following evaluation, it was shown that 77% of people felt more informed about going to court after watching it.