About Us
The 42 Local Criminal Justice Boards (LCJB) in England and Wales were set up in April 2003 to manage the criminal justice system (CJS) at a local level and to ensure all criminal justice agencies are working together to tackle crime. They report to the National Criminal Justice Board (NCJB) which brings together ministers and senior officials across Government. The NCJB supports LCJBs in their work to meet Public Service Agreement targets at a local level to bring more offences to justice and increase public confidence in the CJS.
An offence brought to justice is a recorded crime that results in a caution, conviction, penalty notice, or is taken into consideration by the court. In the case of juvenile offenders, it includes final warnings.
LCJBs are charged with local delivery of the following CJS objectives:
- Effective in bringing offences to justice
The CJS is effective in bringing crime, particularly the most serious crime, to justice so that it plays its part in reducing crime and re-offending.
- Simple efficient processes
Speedy, streamlined and efficient processes supported by modern technology that enable the police to focus their time on tackling crime.
- The public confident and engaged
People in local communities are informed about the performance of the system, consulted and engaged about their priorities so they can be confident that the CJS is fair, effective and meets local needs.
- The needs of victims at its heart
High standards of service for victims and witnesses with the needs of victims at the heart of the CJS.
Core membership of LCJBs consists of chief officers of the main local CJS agencies: Police, Crown Prosecution, Probation, HMCS (the Court Service), Prison Service, Legal Services Commission and Youth Offending Teams.
The aims and targets of CJS reform can only be achieved if local services are seen to be recognising what matters to local populations. LCJBs were set up in recognition of this. Each LCJB has drawn up a set of delivery plans that address their key targets.
Board Meetings
The West Yorkshire Criminal Justice Board meets on a bi-monthly basis at agency venues around the county. The approved minutes of the latest meeting are attached for your information: