Justice Awards 2008
Wiltshire partnership wins top national justice award
A MULTI-AGENCY group from Wiltshire that works to reduce domestic violence has won a top national award for its work in the Criminal Justice System.
The Local Public Service Agreement Working Group, which also aims to reduce the impact of domestic violence throughout the county, won the Partnership of the Year category in the Justice Awards 2008 on Tuesday (October 21).
The awards are for criminal justice staff and volunteers who go the extra mile to serve people in their local communities.
They were presented by broadcaster Kirsty Young at Banqueting House in Whitehall, London.
More than 700 unsung heroes were nominated by colleagues in police forces, courts, prisons, probation services, community organisations, prosecution and defence teams and charities helping victims, witnesses and offenders.
The Justice Awards were promoted in Wiltshire and Swindon by the Wiltshire Criminal Justice Board (WCJB), which is responsible for the effectiveness of the Criminal Justice System locally.
Established in January 2006, the LPSA Working Group had the specific remit of achieving three LPSA stretch targets for domestic violence: increasing the number of reported incidents by a further 421 incidents by March 2008; reducing the number of repeat incidents to 35 per cent and increasing the number of successful DV cases (charges resulting in conviction) to 70 per cent.
Members are from a wide range of partner agencies, including the WCJB, HM Courts Service, Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire County Council, Army Welfare, Probation, Crown Prosecution Service, Splitz and Victim Support.
Their work resulted in key successes; two targets resulted in 100 per cent achievement, while the third made some achievement and continues to improve.
The success of the group has meant it will continue, re-titled, as the Domestic Violence Delivery Group for the new Wiltshire Community Safety Partnership.
The group’s work supports the WCJB priority to improve victim and witness satisfaction with the Criminal Justice System.
LPSA Working Group chair, Supt Paul Williams, from Wiltshire Police, said: “This is a fantastic achievement and reflects a great deal of hard work by a partnership group which is made up of a number of different agencies.
“We achieved success in increasing reports of domestic violence, reducing repeat victimisation and successful outcomes at court.
“This was not achieved by applying academic theory, but about finding common sense solutions to practical and real problems.”
Lynn Gaskin, Head of Crime Reduction and Community Protection, Wiltshire County Council, said: “This is a very real achievement not only for Wiltshire but for the excellent partnership working that it represents.
“I am very aware that all the individuals involved are not only extremely hard working but also dedicated to raising the profile of the issues of domestic violence and improving services for victims and their families”
Diana Fulbrook, Chair of the Wiltshire Criminal Justice Board, said: “The Criminal Justice Board is absolutely delighted about this award.
“It is an excellent example of effective partnership working towards something which is important to us all. The team richly deserves it and are a credit to Wiltshire.”
The awards ceremony formed part of Inside Justice Week from 18-25 October 2008, during which the Criminal Justice System opened its doors to the public so they could find out how it really works.
For more information on Inside Justice Week, click here.