HAMPSHIRE'S Police and Crime Commissioner has become the new chair of the Hampshire and Isle of White Local Criminal Justice Board (LCJB).

As chair, Donna Jones will be focussing on rebuilding confidence and trust in the local criminal justice system by critically challenging all partners to do more for all victims, including women and girls.

She said: “Violence against women and girls has been an issue in this country for generations, but recent high profile cases mean it is very much at the front of our minds at present, and rightly so.

“Violence against women and girls offences cause significant harm and distress to victims, their friends and family, witnesses, and wider society.”

She said she wants all victims to feel safe coming forward to report incidents knowing that they will be listened to and confident that the justice will be served.

She added: “Currently, too many victims feel unable to report, support a prosecution, or later withdraw from the process.

“All partners across the criminal justice system must work harder to earn their trust.

“As the Chair of the Local Criminal Justice Board, I can ensure that this is top of the agenda for all of the local partners who are delivering justice for victims and managing offenders."

The LCJB brings together partners across the justice system to deliver a fair, and effective and efficient Criminal Justice System that is focussed on the service given to victims and witnesses of crime, prevention and rehabilitation of offenders.

Partners on the board include Hampshire Constabulary, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), HMP Winchester, National Probation Service and Public Health England.

In Donna’s first meeting as chair on Thursday, October 21 she heard directly from Hampshire Constabulary about the local policing response to provide public reassurance following the concerns arising from the Sarah Everard trial, and also the progress being made by the CPS and police on the rape and serious sexual offences improvement plan.

She added: “These are important steps towards rebuilding confidence but there is still much more to do.”