Court closures are 'denying justice' for victims
Victims of crime may be being denied justice by the closure of magistrates courts during the coronavirus crisis, a police chief has said.
Courts closed when the lockdown was enforced and social distancing measures will have to be enforced when all eventually reopen.
Some magistrates courts have begun to reopen their doors but enforced measures have put the brakes on what can already be a slow process.
But there are concerns over a "backlog" of cases, particularly around domestic violence, which has risen during lockdown as victims have been stuck under the same roof with abusers.
A report to the West Midlands Police and Crime Board said "due to the closure of regional magistrates and crown courts there is a growing backlog of domestic abuse cases awaiting a court hearing.”
And Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said the Government needed to share its "thinking and strategy around easing lockdown".
He said: "I am concerned that there is a backlog of justice from the courts that are having to operate at a fraction of their normal capacity.
"I support the social distancing measures that are in place, but the Government needs to share their thinking and strategy around easing lockdown to allow agencies to properly plan so they can ensure that victims of crime get justice in a timely manner."
Cases have continued to be heard at Wolverhampton Crown Court, with barristers taking part over videolink. Jury trials have been suspended during the lockdown, and the court building has been largely empty apart from security and some court staff.
