'Swift riot response shows need for extra funding'

Norfolk's Chief Constable Paul Sanford took up his current role in December 2021

Recent disorder in the UK demonstrated the need for increased funding for the criminal justice system, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead on finance, said.

Paul Sanford, who is also Norfolk's Chief Constable, told BBC Radio Norfolk, that all forces, and the courts processing criminals, need greater financial help.

"Justice is taking too long to be achieved," he said. "We've got significant delays in our crown courts, that's not good for victims."

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “We continue to support courts to hear as many cases as possible by recruiting more judges, keeping additional Nightingale courtrooms open and investing in improvements across the court estate.”

Over the past three weeks, the country has been hit by riots following the deaths of three young girls in Southport.

Police forces took swift action to arrest and charge those involved, many of which have already been sentenced in the courts.

"I think what the criminal justice system has shown in the last three weeks is that we can do things quickly and when we do it works," Mr Sanford continued.

"I think the challenge for the criminal justice system moving forward is if that sort of response continues."

Mr Sanford acknowledged there was a "huge strain" on finances to make improvements in the criminal justice system, but said there was an upcoming spending review, due to be conducted by the new Labour government.

In his role within the National Police Chiefs' Council, Mr Sanford said he would be involved in these discussions.

"What we're doing at the moment is highlighting what I think has been a fantastic policing response to this disorder and using it to demonstrate why we need further investment in policing and the wider criminal justice system," he added.

'Deterrent impact'

Mr Sanford said Norfolk had not been affected by riots and the public did not need to be "overly concerned".

"If it happens, I'm a confident we will deal with it and deal with it well," he added.

"It's not pure luck that that disorder has not happened here.

"Over the last week we've been knocking on doors of people who we think might want to get involved in that disorder and we've been giving them a very, very clear deterrent message.

"I also hope that the sentences that have been dished out in the last few weeks - which are really encouraging - are also having that deterrent impact."

He continued: "For anyone who wants to get involved in disorder, our message is quite clear - we will robustly deal with it."

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “The recent disorder and thuggery has been dealt with swiftly by our courts – and we thank the thousands of dedicated professionals across the justice system who’ve worked tirelessly to achieve this.

“We continue to support courts to hear as many cases as possible by recruiting more judges, keeping additional Nightingale courtrooms open and investing in improvements across the court estate.”