The use of new technology across the criminal justice system will make the system more efficient and faster, speeding up justice, as well as helping vulnerable witnesses, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire says.
As part of work to improve the criminal justice experience for victims of crime, Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis is funding a new project that allows vulnerable victims of crime across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to give evidence to court rooms through live video-links.
It is the first time in Staffordshire that buildings that are not police stations or courts will be used for victims to give evidence, in a move to encourage more vulnerable witnesses to give evidence.
The video-link project will now be initially trialled at three locations – one in Stoke-on-Trent, one in the Staffordshire Moorlands and one in Burton.
Mr Ellis has expanded the initial stage of the project from one venue in Stoke-on-Trent to three to allow more vulnerable victims to access the service.
Mr Ellis said: “Using technology reduces the chance of vulnerable witnesses coming face-to-face with the person accused of the crime. It also aims to increase the number of victims who are comfortable to give evidence and reduce the number of victims who withdraw from the process prior to court.
“Using three locations in the initial stage of this new approach to support victims allows easier access and more opportunities for vulnerable victims to give evidence, all of which will lead to a better criminal justice system. This is about using modern technology to speed up trials.”
Victims of domestic abuse and other vulnerable victims, whose cases are being progressed through the Magistrates Courts, will be able to use the facilities at the three venues.
The project has been made possible after the Police and Crime Commissioner in Staffordshire secured funds to develop a “live link” facility for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses to give evidence from a location away from court buildings or police stations.
A venue has been identified in a community building in Stoke-on-Trent and work to make the venue fit for purpose and install specialist equipment for the video-link has been taking place.
Venues are also being looked at in Burton and the Staffordshire Moorlands and those will also be fitted with equipment.
The locations will be operating later this year.
This is part of wider work by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire to help victims and witnesses as well as looking at how technology can make a difference.
The Police and Crime Commissioner’s Safer, Fairer United Communities strategy includes the theme of placing witnesses and victims at the centre of the criminal justice system.
A number of partner agencies have been involved in the development and running of the video-link service including Staffordshire Police, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Witness Service, Victim Support, ARCH, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Courts Service.
Supporting victims and witnesses is one of four priorities in Mr Ellis’ Safer, Fairer United Communities strategy for more local, effective policing and community safety in the county. To find out more about the strategy click here
