News

Communities invited to share their views on criminal justice ...

23rd Jul, 2009

A new online poll launched this week is making it even easier for people in Staffordshire to tell the Government how they want to get involved in criminal justice services.

Back in April, the Government launched a consultation looking at how the public could have more of a say and get involved in criminal justice in their area - the Engaging Communities in Criminal Justice Green Paper.  To make it even easier for people to take part in the consultation, a new online poll has been launched.

The poll, available at http://haveyoursay.cjsonline.gov.uk, asks the public just three questions :

• would you like to know more about what is being done to tackle crime in your area
• would you like to have more of a say in how crime is dealt with in your area
• would you like to know more information about criminal justice services in your area

Members of the public are also invited to get more involved by taking part in the full consultation.  They do not have to answer every question, just those that matter most to them - and what they say will be fed directly back to Ministers.

The public's response will help Ministers decide on a range of proposals set out in the consultation, including how people can have more say in the priorities for local criminal justice services, how the concerns of local people are taken account of in court and how they can have a say in how offenders repay communities for their crimes.

Launching the poll in Staffordshire, Peter Hammersley, Chair of Staffordshire Criminal Justice Board, said : "It's absolutely vital that everyone has a chance to have their say in how justice is delivered, and that's exactly what the new online poll is offering - a quick and easy way to make sure their views are heard by those at the very top.  It takes less than two minutes to take part - I encourage everyone in Staffordshire to get involved - we need their views by 31 July 2009."

Press Release