Inside Justice Week 2007
3,040 PEOPLE THROUGH WARWICK CROWN COURT IN A DAY!
Warwickshire hosted their most successful Inside Justice Open Day to date, with a record 3,040 visitors coming to see the Criminal Justice System, past and present, in action!
On Saturday 10th November 2007, thousands of people, young and old, from in and around Warwickshire experienced JUSTICE: THEN & NOW as part of Inside Justice Week, a national initiative to demystify the criminal justice process by giving the public exclusive opportunities to see what goes on behind the scenes. Over 150 staff from all of the Criminal Justice Agencies and their partners’ participated and the event which attracted a staggering 3040 visitors!
People queued in their hundreds to catch a glimpse of cells & the dungeon and mock courts held throughout the day gave many visitors the opportunity to see the 1605 trial of Guy Fawkes compared with a modern day re-enactment of the same case with some lucky members of the public playing the role of the jury as many more watched proceedings from the courtroom and the public gallery.
Throughout the day there was also the chance to see historic police vehicles and learn about justice from years gone by including a gritty presentation on corporal punishment from The Executioner. Contrasting Justice THEN with JUSTICE NOW visitors also had the opportunity to speak to current justice professionals about their roles in today’s justice system, meet the local neighbourhood policing team, see inside a range of operational vehicles including a prison van, an Automatic Number Plate Recognition vehicle, a CCTV van and a mobile speed camera bike and take a tour of the Judge’s House – an area never opened to the public before!
The event was opened by the High Sheriff of Warwickshire, Mr Johnnie Arkwright who made a short speech on the Court steps before cutting a ribbon to pronounce the event officially open.
ACC Bill Holland, Chair of Warwickshire Criminal Justice Board said:
“Open Days like this are an excellent opportunity to interact with and inform the public about the roles of the criminal justice agencies and how we work together to protect people from harm.
By helping people to understand how the Criminal Justice System works, it is hoped that public confidence in the Criminal Justice System will increase, and more people will come forward as witnesses to give evidence and report crime. That is vital if the different criminal justice agencies are to best protect the people of Warwickshire."
Children were well entertained with goody bags, fingerprinting, dressing up and having their photographs taken as a police officer or a barrister (raising £150 for the Warwick Crown Court Witness Service). On top of all this, Warwickshire Crimestoppers sponsored a Kids Competition to win a digital camera which was won by 11 year old William Green from Kingsbury School.