Commissioner criticises 'terrible' court backlogs

John Campion said he was unable to influence the number of judges and courts sitting

West Mercia's police and crime commissioner (PCC) has criticised delays in bringing cases to court in the region.

John Campion said "I think 'terrible' would be my overall summary" of the situation.

Cases have been delayed by court closures and a backlog from the Covid pandemic.

The head of the courts service said last month that reforms had helped the service to improve and increase sitting days.

However, the Law Society, representing solicitors, doubted the government would meet "even its own unambitious target" of reducing the Crown Court backlog to 53,000 by March 2025.

The government's own figures show more than a quarter of crown court cases take a year or more to complete, compared to less than 10 per cent before the pandemic.

Mr Campion said he had increased investment in front line officers to bring more offenders to the point of being charged, only for cases not to come to court in a timely fashion.

"Whilst I can't influence the number of judges we've got or the number of courts that are sitting, what I can do is make sure we support victims and witnesses during these delays," he told BBC Radio Shropshire.

The commissioner, whose region covers Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire, also said people were having to travel longer distances for court cases.

"In Hereford, we've not had a crown court for a number of years, which meant we've seen a number of people travelling outside their community.

"And whilst we do still have courts in Shropshire that are functioning, they don't have enough capacity so people are having to travel elsewhere," he said.

Up for re-election

Mr Campion said his priority for the new year was making sure communities "feel the benefit" of "record investment in police officers".

A consultation is currently underway on next year's policing budget.

Elections for a new commissioner will take place in May. Mr Campion expects to stand again for the Conservatives.

Other parties are still to announce their candidates.