News
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.
15th November 2007 - Release of the Criminal Justice System Stragegic Plan
The Criminal Justice System Strategic Plan for 2008-2011 was placed in the public arena on 15th November 2007.
The theme for the plan is 'Working Together to Cut Crime and Deliver Justice'. The full plan and a summary is available through the link above.
5th November 2007 - National Justice Awards
'MERSEYSIDE LEADS COUNTRY IN NATIONAL JUSTICE AWARDS' Merseyside crime fighters won 3 out of the 15 categories at the country’s top awards for justice.
Volunteer of the Year Award - Avril Ainsbury
Avril Ainsbury, Volunteer, North Liverpool Community Justice Centre has been working with communities in Liverpool since 1970. For 22 years she was involved with the Croxteth Gems project, supporting various members of her local community. After leaving in 2004, she has been an exceptional volunteer working variously as a Custody Suite Visitor, Offender Mentor and Victim Support and Witness Service volunteer.
Outstanding Team Achievement in Caring for Witnesses - Major Incident Team and Witness Assistance Unit, Merseyside Police
When a gang member was shot dead by a rival gang as he left the visitors hall at Altcourse Prison, getting witnesses to come forward was a major obstacle. Firstly gang members refused to co-operate with police and secondly anyone who did co-operate was subject to threats and intimidation. The Team overcame the obstacles, built the case and protected the witnesses in order to put the case before the court.
Outstanding Team Contribution to Engaging Local Communities - Breckfield and North Everton Neighbourhood Council (BNENC)
This community based voluntary organisation provides practical help, advice, support and training to residents in the fifth most deprived ward in the UK.
More than 750 residents have been given help on issues ranging from crime prevention to child protection or drug awareness training. A one-to-one service is available for local youngsters at risk of getting involved in low-level crime.
Merseyside also had a runner up in the award for outstanding team contribution to tackling youth crime. The North Liverpool Community Justice Centre’s Multi-Agency Community Problem Solving Group was established in May 2006 to tackle anti-social behaviour and police have since reported a 70% fall in anti-social behaviour in the area.