Press Release
JUSTICE IN THE COMMUNITY
'MEET THE JUDGE' EVENTS ANNOUNCED AS CENTRE CELEBRATES ONE YEAR ON
Judge David Fletcher and the team from the Community Justice Centre, North Liverpool will be taking to the road to report on its progress and find out about the issues that affect the lives of people in North Liverpool.
A series of 'Meet the Judge' events is announced today (Monday 16th October), as the centre celebrates its first year in operation since it was officially opened at its base in Boundary Street Kirkdale, by Department of Constitutional Affairs Minister, Harriet Harman QC MP, in October 2005.
The roadshow will tour seven venues across the neighbourhoods of Anfield, Breckfield, the Eldonian Village, Everton, Kirkdale, Vauxhall and Walton, during November and December.
Since the centre opened, it has developed a wide range of services for all members of the community. These events will see the team providing advice and support on any problems or issues relating to crime and quality of life in the area. They will also provide information on how the Community Justice Centre works and give residents the chance to have their say, ask questions and make suggestions.
The centre is the only one of its kind in England and Wales and is a pilot project aimed at bringing justice closer to the community by tackling crimes and anti-social behaviour-type offences that affect the quality of life for residents. It houses a courtroom with a wide range of community services available to local people, victims and witnesses, as well as offenders.
Figures show that from the beginning of January to the end of August this year, the centre dealt with over 1500 cases and ordered over 3,200 hours of unpaid work as part of community sentences.
The series of 'Meet the Judge' events follows a similar successful programme in 2004, which helped to shape the development of the centre.
Judge David Fletcher said: Understanding the issues that affect residents is absolutely key to our work. During the last year this knowledge has not only helped us to decide the kinds of crimes we tackle, but it has also helped me when sentencing offenders.
Since we have been based within the community, we have been delighted by the response from local people, who have been very supportive of the team's work. We are looking forward to meeting residents from across all the neighbourhoods we serve, taking their views on board and hopefully helping them with any issues they may be facing.
The centre is celebrating its first year based in the community with a week of activities for local residents between the 16th and 20th October, including an event for young people about the effect of anti-social behaviour and what could happen to them if they get involved in it, called 'Your Choice', a Junior Citizenship programme for schoolchildren and an event for local parents.
MEET THE JUDGE DATES AND VENUES
Thursday, 2nd November
The Millennium Resource Centre
Silvester Street, Liverpool, L5 8SE
Tuesday 7th November
Eldonian Village Hall
Burlington Street, Liverpool L3 6LG
Thursday 16th November
Kirkdale Community Centre 'The Gordon'
238a Stanley Road, Liverpool L5 7QP
Tuesday 21st November
West Everton Community Centre
33 Everton Brow, Liverpool L3 8PU
Tuesday 28th November
NOTE: Date changed to Monday 11th December
St. Columbus Parish Centre
Pinehurst Avenue, Anfield, Liverpool L4 2TZ
Wednesday 6th December
The Breckfield Centre
Breckfield Road North, Liverpool, L5 0QW
Tuesday 12th December
New Century Halls Community Facility
15 Heathcote Road, Walton L4 6XB
Each event will run from 6pm to 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome.