Criminal Justice Partners unite to drive progress

Credit: Better Times

Police and Crime Commissioner Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts, Chair of the Derbyshire Criminal Justice Board (DCJB), recently brought criminal justice partners together for a dedicated business planning day to review progress, strengthen collaboration and agree priorities for the year ahead.

The event provided an opportunity for agencies from across Derbyshire’s criminal justice system to reflect on achievements, identify areas for improvement and ensure efforts remain focused on delivering better outcomes for communities, victims and offenders.

Discussions focused on the Board’s key priorities of:

• Improving effectiveness and efficiency across the criminal justice system
• Supporting victims and witnesses
• Reducing offending and reoffending

Representatives from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Derbyshire Constabulary, probation services, local authorities, health partners, courts, prosecution services and victim support organisations shared updates on the progress made against their respective priorities and explored how collective action can further strengthen outcomes across Derbyshire.

The meeting highlighted a number of significant achievements from across the partnership, including:

• More than 35,000 victims supported through Derbyshire Victim Services over the past two years.
• Derbyshire Constabulary’s use of Out of Court Resolutions rising from 21st to 5th nationally, helping divert suitable individuals away from the formal criminal justice system.
• Youth justice interventions achieving a 64% non-reoffending rate, with continued reductions in first-time entrants into the justice system across Derby City and Derbyshire.
• The Crown Prosecution Service’s introduction of fast-track court processes, initially for domestic abuse cases and now expanded to other offence types, helping to reduce delays and improve case progression.
• Continued improvements in victim and witness support, with 90% of witnesses reporting satisfaction with the service they received.
• Successful recruitment and retention of 38 Witness Service volunteers, strengthening support for those attending court.
• Expansion of victim support including new peer support and community-based services, alongside increased referrals and self-referrals.
• Ongoing work by Public Health partners to ensure victims can access timely, high-quality support despite growing demand.

Throughout the day, partners recognised the strength of collaborative working across Derbyshire and the positive impact that joint problem-solving continues to have on the criminal justice system.

The session also considered feedback gathered through a partner survey, which identified additional areas of focus for the Board. Alongside the existing priorities, there was strong support for greater emphasis on prevention and early intervention and improving outcomes for women and girls in, or at risk of entering, the criminal justice system.

As a result, Board members agreed that the DCJB’s strategic priority for the coming year will be to improve outcomes for women and girls, recognising the unique challenges many face and the importance of coordinated support across the criminal justice pathway.

PCC Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts said: “The Criminal Justice Board plays a vital role in bringing partners together to tackle the challenges that no single organisation can solve alone.

“It was encouraging to see the significant progress being made across Derbyshire, from supporting thousands of victims and witnesses to reducing reoffending and improving access to justice.

“Partnership working remains one of our greatest strengths and this planning day gave us the opportunity to build on that success, identify shared priorities and ensure we continue to deliver meaningful improvements for the people of Derbyshire.

“By working together and focusing on where we can have the greatest impact, we can create a criminal justice system that is more effective, more responsive and better able to support those who need it most.”

By aligning priorities and strengthening collaboration, the Derbyshire Criminal Justice Board continues to drive improvements across the criminal justice system, ensuring agencies work together to deliver safer communities and better outcomes for victims, witnesses and offenders throughout Derbyshire.