County Agencies - Lancashire Criminal Justice Board (LCJB)

What is the LCJB?

The Lancashire Criminal Justice Board was established in April 2003 to improve the local delivery of criminal justice. For the first time, the police, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), courts, probation and prison services, youth offending team (LYOT) and Victim Support Lancashire were to work together to deliver improvements across the whole criminal justice system.

Why is the LCJB important?

The LCJB has already delivered improvements in the local delivery of justice for the benefit of the people of Lancashire. These include:

Increasing the number of offences brought to justice
Dealing efficiently and effectively with young offenders
Increasing the number of trials that go ahead on the day they should, and
Improving the support and care provided to victims and witnesses

These improvements have been achieved through a range of activities and initiatives such as Operation Turn Up – bringing back before the courts and dealing with those people who skip bail, No Witness No Justice – which saw the launch of county’s first dedicated Witness Care Unit, and Statutory Charging – where CPS prosecutors work alongside police officers to ensure that the right charge is made at the outset of a criminal case.

And as these improvements have been made, there has been a corresponding rise in local public confidence that criminal justice is delivered in Lancashire – as measured by the British Crime Survey.

Is this just the start?

The LCJB recognises that these are just the first steps and that there is much more to be done. As such, the Board has set out its aims and priorities for 2005-6 and has also broadened its membership to include other services and bodies – such as the NHS and the Strategic Crime Reduction Board – who have a key part to play in delivering future improvements.

Where's the board heading?

Improve the local delivery of justice,
Build confidence in the Criminal Justice System and reduce the fear of crime, and
Deliver a service that meets the diverse needs of individuals and communities in Lancashire.

What matters?

The LCJB’s Priorities for 2005-6 reflect local needs. They are to:

Be more effective at bringing offences to justice
Improve the experience of victims and witnesses throughout the Criminal Justice System
Improve confidence that offenders will be brought to justice
Reduce the crime committed by the most prolific offenders
Ensure that the Criminal Justice System in Lancashire serves the needs of all our communities
Enforce court orders

Want to find out more?

The LCJB is committed to communicating its activities and achievements and to finding out from the people of Lancashire what matters to them.

To get in touch or find out more about the LCJB and its progress throughout 2005-6:

Visit www.cjsonline.gov.uk/lcjb/lancashire
Call Tina Kerrigan at the LCJB office on 01772 412850
Email us – tina.Kerrigan@lancashire.pnn.police.uk
Write to us at LCJB, PO Box 849, Hutton, Preston PR4 5WF