Stephen Metcalfe, Member of Parliament for South Basildon & East Thurrock has welcomed new Government action to give Essex police the power to prosecute up to 50 per cent of magistrates’ court cases.
The red tape-cutting move will mean thousands of cases can be taken through the courts by officers, saving time and money and meaning a quicker result for victims.
Commenting Stephen MP said: ‘Wasting police time is a criminal offence, but it’s happening in our courts week in, week out.
‘At the moment the police and the Crown Prosecution Service are forced to duplicate work when cases are taken through the magistrates court, wasting time and money and meaning the victims of crime have to wait longer to get the justice they deserve.
‘These changes will mean a leaner and more effective system, with our trusted local police able to put fighting crime first.’
Home Secretary Theresa May MP said: ‘This move will slash bureaucracy, speed up justice and hand more discretion back to police officers.
‘Our model of more power for the police and the public and less for the bureaucrats will free up the finest officers in the world to fight crime.’
