Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner hits out after the East Midlands was overlooked again in the latest raft of emergency ‘Nightingale Courts’

Leicestershire’s top civilian police chief has hit out after the East Midlands was overlooked again in the latest raft of emergency ‘Nightingale Courts’ to be unveiled.

The Government is launching 14 new venues up and down the country in a bid to slash delays in the choked-up court system and deliver speedier justice for victims amid the Covid-19 outbreak.

But the East Midlands won’t be one of the regions to benefit from the concerted boost to securing faster justice for people.

Lord Willy Bach, Leicestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Without help to alleviate the current pressures on the court system, victims will face a long and traumatic wait for justice and this is deeply regrettable.

“We owe it to all victims of crime to deliver fast and effective closure through the courts and opening an additional venue is the only feasible way to do that.”

The former Lutterworth mayor and Harborough district councillor was backed by Nottinghamshire’s Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Emma Foody.

“The East Midlands is in the same position as other areas, with a court system buckling under the pressure of a backlog that originated long before the pandemic.

“Our position has not changed,” she said.

“We will continue to do everything we can to convince the Government that a Nightingale Court in the East Midlands is critical.

“The welfare and recovery of victims absolutely depends on it.”

Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Hardyal Dhindsa added: “Victims remain my top priority.

“I am disappointed the East Midlands has once again been overlooked for additional support, despite our best efforts.

“Every delay has a detrimental impact on both the victim and the offender.

“And we will not give up until the East Midlands is given the resources it needs to recover from this present crisis.”

Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland said: “We have achieved an immense amount in our battle to keep justice moving during the pandemic – restarting jury trials before anyone else, turbo-charging the rollout of video technology, bringing magistrates’ backlogs down and opening more courtrooms for jury trials.

“These new courts are the latest step in that effort.

“I am determined to minimise delays and ensure justice is served for victims, defendants and the public.”