Welcome
Did you know? The risk of being a victim of crime in 2006/07 was 24%, significantly lower than the peak of 40% recorded by the British Crime Survey in 1995 [Crime in England and Wales 2006/07]- further information can be found via this link: pocket_booklet_Winter 2008.pdf -
What is the Cheshire Criminal Justice Board?
Cheshire Criminal Justice Board was established in April 2003 as one of 42 Local Criminal Justice Boards throughout England and Wales. The board aims to improve co-operation between criminal justice agencies to deliver a joined-up criminal justice service and to improve the way justice works in Cheshire.
Cheshire Criminal Justice Board plays a vital role in reducing crime and bringing more offenders to justice in Cheshire. It is responsible for meeting the Government's objectives for the criminal justice system (CJS) as well as the priorities of the local community.
Who are the members of the board?
The Cheshire Criminal Justice Board brings together the chief officers of:
- Cheshire Police
- Crown Prosecution Service, Cheshire (CPS)
- Cheshire Magistrates' and Crown Courts
- Youth Offending Teams
- Cheshire Probation and Prison Service
The board meets regularly and is responsible and accountable for:
- Local delivery of Criminal Justice System objectives
- Improvement in the delivery of justice
- The service provided to victims and witnesses
- Securing Public Confidence
What does the board hope to achieve?
- To bring more offenders to justice
- To increase public confidence in the Criminal Justice System.
For greater detail on the board's objectives, please follow the Detailed Information link from the menu on the right hand side.
We hope you find the website interesting and useful. To be most effective, the Criminal Justice System needs communities and individuals to engage in the delivery of justice - we need your help. Please let us know your views and concerns about the Criminal Justice System and take the opportunity to make any suggestions about the content of this website. We look forward to hearing from you.
Been Affected by Crime?
If you have been affected by crime click on the links below to find out what help and support is available to victims of crime as well as what to expect from reporting a crime, what happens in court, and how to apply for compensation. You can also access an interactive tour which has been developed to guide victims through the Criminal Justice System.
Follow this link if you have been involved as a victim to crime
Find out what help is available if you have been a witness of crime
See what happens after you have been called for jury service
Inside Justice Week
Inside Justice Week runs every year and aims to:
- Increase public awareness and understanding of the Criminal Justice System (CJS);
- Publicise improvements within the CJS;
- Encourage individuals and communities to engage with the CJS
- Show people how they can help deliver justice and why it matters
Events held in previous years have included: A Local Crime Community Sentence interactive presentation involving pairs of Magistrates and Probation officers explaining how sentencing decisions are made in court and how community punishment works via an interactive presentation.
A Mock Trial gave students at Chester University the chance to see how the wheels of justice worked. Law students were involved as defendant, witnesses and jury and staff from the CPS, Police, Her Majesty's Courts Service, and the Probation Service acted out their roles in the court process.
A mock trial open day at Knutsford Crown Court which involved 240 pupils form Knutsford High School
A Criminal Justice Open Day at Warrington Town Hall providing a chance to get your fingerprints taken, find out more about how your local criminal justice system works, obtain a goodie bag and to see what careers and volunteering opportunities you can get involved in.
Further details about these events can be found on the "Events" section of this website.
Inside Justice Week 2007 ran from 3rd-10th November 2007
Click on this link for more information...
Success for Cheshire in 2007 Justice Awards!
The Justice Awards are a great chance to recognise the outstanding work people do within the criminal justice system. Nominations come from within the criminal justice system for individuals or teams from any criminal justice agency, or from a voluntary sector organisation that works with victims, witnesses, defendants or offenders.
Click on this link for more information or for details of Cheshire's successes in 2007 visit the Justice Awards 2007 section on the menu on the left hand side.
Witness Charter
The Witness Charter is the next step in the Government's programme of work to raise public confidence in the CJS. In launching the Witness Charter consultation, Home Office Minister Fiona Mactaggart said "the Government has made a commitment to put victims and witnesses at the heart of the criminal justice system. Improving victim and witness care is fundamental not only to bring more offences to justice, but to increase public confidence in the criminal justice system." Members of the public have been consulted on this charter and the agreed standards that criminal justice agencies have to abide by will be in place by March 2008. For more information please visit the Victim and Witnesses section of this website - click here.
Victims Code of Practice
Victims of crime are now entitled to receive a minimum standard of service from criminal justice agencies across England and Wales
The Victims Code of Practice requires Criminal Justice Agencies by law to offer certain standards when it comes to information, advice, support and protection for all victims, with enhanced services for vulnerable victims. Cheshire criminal justice agencies are already meeting many of the service obligations in the new Code, but it is an important step forward that these are set out for the first time. Victims will have a right of appeal to the Parliamentary Ombudsman if they feel their rights under the Code have not been met. Support for the Victim will include:
- Police will refer a victim of crime to Victim Support, unless they opt out
- Police will carry out a needs assessment to check whether a victim is vulnerable or an intimidated victim
- If the investigation continues for some time without a suspect being arrested, the police will update them every month on progress
- If a suspect is arrested, the police will update them within 5 working days
- If no suspect is charged and the investigation closed, the police will update the victim
- Updates could be by letter, by phone, by e-mail, face-to-face – but will be tailored to the victim’s needs
- If the victim is identified as a vulnerable or intimidated victim they will receive an enhanced service under the Code – notified within 1 day, not 5, if a suspect is arrested
- If a charge is brought, the Witness Care Unit will notify them of dates of court proceedings, and conduct a needs assessment to identify any support issues
- If no proceedings are brought, CPS must offer to meet the intimidated or vulnerable victim to explain why
- Courts Service must ensure that there is a separate waiting area, away from the defendant or their family
Cheshire Criminal Justice Board marked the launch of the 'Victims Code of Practice' with an online Question & Answer session on 11th April 2006.
Free presentations
Want to find out more about Community Sentences? Looking for a presentation for your community group/social club or society for free? The Local Crime: Community Sentences initiative could be just what you are looking for. For more information please refer to the "current initiatives" on the download section of this site or refer to the Cheshire Probation website at: www.cheshireprobation.org.uk