Lancashire Criminal Justice Board - Monthly Update

LCJB

PYO Performance

The LCJB works to a target of bringing persistent young offenders to justice within 71 days, (arrest to sentence) with an aspirational target set for Lancashire of 65 days.

Based on month ending April 2007 figures, Lancashire was achieving a 57 day level of performance (well within both the above targets). All agency staff should be thanked for their contribution in relation to meeting this target.

Confidence Performance

The year end confidence figure (effective in bringing offenders to justice) is unfortunately well below the target of 45% (37.6%). This information is captured by the British Crime Survey. The next survey results are due in November based on June survey findings.

It is difficult to establish the reasons behind this perception although it has always been acknowledged that the national media and what was happening at the time the survey was undertaken did have an impact on the findings and was beyond our control.

The recent introduction of the LCJB You be the Judge and Question Time events should help to improve confidence levels locally.

Domestic Violence Courts Protocol

A multi agency protocol has been drawn up to ensure standard practices are adhered to in relation to domestic violence offences. This includes flagging of cases, protection for victims and witnesses, application of special measures etc. The protocol will be ‘signed off’ at the September Board meeting.

Justice Awards

Lancashire has submitted 41 nominations for the Justice Awards, with a further 18 incomplete nominations also being considered. The national ceremony is to be held in London on the 5.11.07 with the local awards ceremony set for the 28.11.07. Thank you to all those who made a nomination.

You Be The Judge

A You Be The Judge event, to explain sentencing to the public in an entertaining and interactive manner, was held in Preston Crown Court in June and received good feedback. A second event is planned to take place on 20 September at Burnley Combined Court.

YOT

Criminal Justice Awareness for UCLAN Students (Julie Cummins, Preston YOT)

Staff from Lancashire YOT, Lancashire Constabulary, HM Courts Service, CPS, Probation, Victim Support and HM Prison Service are working together to present a criminal justice system awareness programme to students at the University of Central Lancashire. The programme will initially include a brief introduction from each agency followed by a quiz. There will be follow-up sessions after this which will be compiled following a questionnaire from students to ensure agencies deliver what they require of them.

The aim is not only to raise the awareness of the agencies to students, but also to present them with career opportunities that they have perhaps not considered as well as providing some useful information that they may be able to use if they apply for employment within the criminal justice system.

The first awareness programme took place at the main lecture theatre at UCLAN on 29.8.07 to 2nd year students on the Forensic and Investigative Science courses.

'No Fear' for Schools (Luke Bilsborough, Preston YOT)

Staff from Preston YOT have been involved in the delivery of three "No-Fear" days at local schools in the Preston/South Ribble area.

• Friday 29th June at Walton le Dale High school
• Thursday 5th July at Hutton Grammar High School and
• Thursday 12th July at Balshaws High School

The days' centred on a DVD/Video entitled "No Fear" that is utilised within Lancashire YOT as a prevention intervention for yot clients involved in car crime. Six partner agencies come together on these days to deliver a prevention message to all the pupils of a particular year group, usually year 9. The agencies involved this year were - Lancashire/Preston Yot, Lancashire/Preston Victim Support, Youth & Community, Lancashire Constabulary, Fire & Rescue and HMP Wymott. During the 3 days the partners each delivered 18 presentations (6 per school) to a total of 458 pupils

CPS

Domestic Violence Snapshot

Every year the CPS conducts an analysis of all domestic violence cases finalised for the month of December. The full report on the findings has recently been published but some of the main points CJS staff may find interesting are:

• There has been an increase of 51% in recorded domestic violence cases since the quarter ending June 2005
• Convictions increased from 46% in 2003 to 66% in 2006. (The national conviction rate for January to March 2007 was 66.6%)
• Since April 2005 prosecutions that were dropped fell from 32.7% to 26.9%
• The number of victims retracting has fallen from 37% in 2002 to 28% in 2006
• In 40% of cases continuing after retraction the defendant pleaded guilty. 8% of victims gave evidence after retracting and in 6% of cases other evidence sufficed
• In December 2006, when the snapshot was taken, Lancashire finalised 157 cases. Of the other 42 CPS areas only Greater Manchester (185), Metropolitan and City (214) and West Midlands (265) finalised more

CPS Comes of Age

CPS Lancashire will be celebrating its 21st birthday with a party at the Scholars Lounge and Bar, Foster Building, University of Central Lancashire on Saturday 13th October 2007. The event is from 7.30pm – 12.30am and has live music, disco and buffet. The cost is £7.50. If any of our colleagues in the other CJS agencies would like to celebrate with us, please email cath.moss@cps.gsi.gov.uk.

Victim Support Lancashire

The Difference Between the Witness Service and Witness Care Units

There are many job titles and organisations now containing the word "witness", so it's understandable that people get confused. One of the major sources of confusion is the difference between Witness Service and Witness Care Units. The aim of this paragraph is to explain the difference.

A Witness Service exists in every criminal court in the county and is part of the charity, Victim Support Lancashire. Paid staff manage teams of trained volunteers and their role is to provide emotional support and practical information – about court procedure, for example – to victims, witnesses and their family and friends. Witness Service volunteers also refer people on to further sources of support – to Victim Support community volunteers, for example. Contrary to a recent newspaper report, however, Witness Service do not get involved in "witness protection".

Witness Care Units are police and CPS led. Dedicated Witness Care Officers are assigned to witnesses and act as a single point of contact to keep victims and witnesses informed of the case’s progress from the point of charging the suspect, to sentencing or acquitting the defendant. They also let witnesses know if they need to attend court.

Charity fundraising dinner

As mentioned in last month's multi-agency update, Victim Support Lancashire will be holding a black tie charity fundraising dinner dance to celebrate their 25th Anniversary in Lancashire. The dinner will be held at the Preston Marriott on Friday 26th October, 7:30p.m. for 8p.m. Guests will be entertained by live music, a table magician and a charity auction, with lots to include a skating lesson with Dan Whiston of ITV 's Dancing on Ice. Tickets are available for £50 each, or tables for £500 each and can be ordered from Victim Support Lancashire on 01772 828422.