Our work with the police

On this page:

Lessening the negative impact of police bail back procedures on the defence
Improving bail efficiency
Examples of regional work

Lessening the negative impact on the defence

Bail-back processes sometimes lead to negative impacts on the defence.

Initial agreements with senior police officers help initiate changes at a local level. Our regional crime leads are working on these.

This will continue, but we will also place greater emphasis on this through our membership of Local Criminal Justice Boards.

Improving bail efficiency

We are also working with the Home Office to increase membership of the local custody forums.

We will address this issue nationally and regionally to reduce the number of bailed to returns and improve their efficiency.

Encouraging the uptake of legal advice

In May 2009, the LSC will be distributing to police stations leaflets encouraging the early take up of legal advice. The leaflets are multi-lingual and will be displayed in stations nationally.

Examples of regional work

Thames Valley

Working alongside Thames Valley Police, we've helped develop the 'Streamlined Process' - a system which lets police officers and administrative staff prepare prosecution files more quickly.

Read more about 'the Streamlined Process' by clicking on the document of the same name in the 'Documents' panel on the right hand side of this page.

North Wales

Following concerns raised by solicitors, a new protocol has been developed to clarify the process for challenging bail conditions.

Kent and Southampton

Dedicated phone lines for solicitors are being fitted into custody areas.

London

The London Criminal Justice Board has agreed to work with us to identify reasons for bailbacks and to see if there is scope to reduce the average number per case. If successful, this will be shared nationally through the Association of Chief Police Officers, National Policing Improvement Agency and LCJBs.

Work is also being done in London Diamond Districts to reduce reoffending by providing civil advice and referrals through our Community Legal Advice helpline.

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Last updated: 23 July 2009