Press release
Harman opens first Community Justice Centre
20 October 2005
North Liverpool Community Justice Centre, the first of its kind in England and Wales, was officially opened today in its new home in the city, as part of Inside Justice Week 2005.
The centre, which has been operational since December 2004 from the magistrates' court in the city centre, involves the local community in the way the centre provides its services.
Judge David Fletcher, who is based at the centre in Vauxhall, oversees cases involving misery crime like graffiti, petty theft and vandalism. Sentencing focuses on offenders making amends to the community and where required, offenders receive the support they need to tackle the issues that may have contributed to them committing a crime.
Other criminal justice agencies on Merseyside, including the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, probation and youth offending teams, have advice and support teams located at the centre, enabling a joint approach to deal with local offences.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Constitutional Affairs Minister Rt Hon Harriet Harman QC MP said:
“Anti-social behaviour causes problems beyond the actual verbal abuse, damage to property or whatever it might be. In north Liverpool, the community justice centre is already making a difference by listening to local people and giving them an opportunity to get involved in reducing local crime.
“Judge Fletcher has a very unique role of building community relationships across north Liverpool, as well as passing sentences and following cases through after conviction.”
Criminal Justice Minister Baroness Scotland said:
"The Community Justice Centre will serve the people of North Liverpool by responding to their concerns and working to reduce crime.
"We are already seeing the benefits of this new style of community justice. The court is making sure that justice is seen to be done, and giving local people more confidence that the criminal justice system is here to serve them."
Judge Fletcher said:
"The centre has a dedicated team, committed to working in partnership with the local community to tackle crime and the issues that contribute to it, in an innovative way. We are already seeing results and believe being based in the heart of the community we serve will help us to make a real difference to the lives of those living and working in the area."
Another local Merseyside courthouse, Birkenhead magistrates' court has been selected this week to be one of 25 specialist domestic violence courts across England and Wales.
Harriet Harman said:
“Birkenhead magistrates' court has been selected as a specialist domestic violence court together with the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and support services. This will enable them to provide better support to victims and offenders will be more likely to be brought to justice.”
Notes to Editors
1. Judge David Fletcher was appointed in October 2004.
2. The centre, which has been operational since December 2004, is built on the site of a former school in Boundary Street, Vauxhall and has 38 rooms.
3. The courtroom deals with crimes committed against the community in the local authority wards of Anfield, Everton, County and Kirkdale – a population of 80,000.
4. The centre works closely with the community through a new group made up of community representatives who are helping to decide the priorities for the work of the centre.
5. The centre has a team of experts offering a range of community services, aimed at benefiting everyone living and working in the area.
6. Representatives from the Safer Neighbourhood Service, specialists in dealing with, anti-social behaviour are also based within the centre
7. A mentoring scheme, Side by Side has been established to give local people the opportunity to build their skills working as volunteers, with those needing one-to-one support, including offenders
ENDS