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This page details information on the County Durham and Darlington Local Criminal Justice Board we work closely with.
Local Criminal Justice Boards bring together criminal justice partners to identify priorities, address cross-cutting issues, reduce reoffending, improve the experience of victims and witnesses, and deliver agreed objectives to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the local criminal justice system. Further information on Local Criminal Justice Board scan be found here: National Guidance for Local Criminal Justice Boards (publishing.service.gov.uk). The County Durham and Darlington Local Criminal Justice Board is chaired by Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen, working closely with local criminal justice partners to deliver improvements in how the local criminal justice system works, and raising levels of public trust and confidence.
The partners of the Local Criminal Justice Board have agreed upon a clear vision.
“In County Durham and Darlington, we will work together to deliver the best possible local criminal justice system for the people of County Durham and Darlington by:
· Providing high quality service and support for all victims and witnesses.
· Focusing on preventative and rehabilitative approaches to offending behaviour.
· Delivering justice in a fair and timely way, that has the trust and confidence of all local communities Helping to make County Durham and Darlington safe places to live, visit and work.
The County Durham and Darlington Local Criminal Justice Board has agreed upon its priorities for the forthcoming three years, and they are as follows: 1. Victim and Witnesses- We will ensure that victims and witnesses are fully supported through the criminal justice system with high quality services that meet their needs.
2. Offending Behaviour- We will ensure that the right services are available at the right time to support reductions in re-offending and keeping communities safe.
3. Trust and Confidence- We will deliver a fair,transparent and timely local criminal justice system that promotes high levels of public trust and confidence.
A new plan will be developed and published in 2024.
Our Membership
The County Durham and Darlington LCJB is chaired by PCC Joy Allen, with DCC Ciaron Irvine as the vice-chair.The Board is made up of senior representatives and decision makers from the following Criminal Justice agencies and other partners:
· The Police &Crime Commissioner (PCC)
· Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner (OPCC)
· Durham Constabulary
· Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
· His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS)
· Probation Service
· Prison Service
· Durham County Council and Darlington Borough Council
· Youth Justice Service
· Legal Aid Agency (LAA)
· A legal professional from the defence community
· Integrated Care Board
· NHS England
· Other individuals, whether as members or on an ad-hoc basis, as considered appropriate.
A member of the judiciary or magistracy will be invited to attend the LCJB, but we recognise that the judiciary and magistracy can only comment on the operational impacts for the courts, not on policy and are in no way accountable to the LCJB.
LCJB meeting dates
1st February 2024
25th April 2024
1st August 2024
7th November 2024