THE POLICE and Crime Commissioner has warned that “victims are paying the price” of delays in the criminal justice system.
John Campion issued a strong call for “urgent action” by the government to tackle the backlog in his West Mercia region.
Mr Campion cited figures showing there are currently 1,614 open cases – the highest level ever recorded in the region’s crown courts.
Separate data shows that the furthest ahead case in the city’s crown court is set down for June 2028.
READ MORE: ‘Completely unacceptable’: Victims of sexual offences wait for years for court cases
Mr Campion said: “Justice delayed is justice denied.
“I have repeatedly raised concerns about crown court backlogs, yet the situation continues to get worse.
“Our criminal justice system is creaking under the strain, and victims are paying the price.
“With the backlog now at a record high, too many victims of serious crime are waiting months, and sometimes years, for their case to be heard.
“Every delay prolongs trauma, undermines confidence in the justice system and leaves victims feeling let down.
“Enough is enough.”
READ MORE: Victims face waits of up to two years at Worcester Crown Court
BACKLOG: Cases are being listed almost two years in advance at Worcester Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)
‘Victims have waited too long’
The average time from charge to completion for all crimes is 214 days, while for adult rape cases it rises to 537 days, according to the commissioner’s office.
Three out of every 10 trials for adult rape cases are rearranged on the day, the figures show.
“I have been lobbying for change and working with partners across our three counties to improve efficiency and support victims, but local efforts alone cannot solve a national problem,” Mr Campion said.
“We need urgent action from Government.
“The response to the Leveson Review must set out a clear, credible plan to reduce delays, tackle the backlog and deliver the justice victims have waited far too long to receive.”
David Lammy, who left his post as justice secretary during Andy Burnham’s reshuffle, had been trying to alleviate the backlog with proposals including defendants likely to receive a sentence of three years or less no longer getting a jury trial.
Magistrates would be given the power to impose longer sentences up to 18 months, an increase from 12 months.
But Mr Lammy’s departure has brought doubts about the future of the proposals contained in the Courts and Tribunals Bill, which is currently passing through the House of Commons.
The new Prime Minister has expressed his concerns about the plan to restrict jury trials and wants to “look in detail” at the proposals before “probably looking for changes.”
‘Restoring confidence’
Alex Norris, the new justice secretary, said: “The justice system exists to serve the public, and my priorities are clear: to deliver swifter justice and safer communities.
“That means we must reduce the court backlog so that victims see justice more quickly, while playing our full part in tackling violence against women and girls.
“We must also restore confidence in our prisons and probation system, so that there is always space for the most dangerous offenders and the public is protected from harm.
“I look forward to working with the dedicated professionals across our courts and tribunals, prisons and probation services, and the wider justice system – to deliver the change the public rightly expects and hope for the future.”
