'Our justice system on its knees is yet another example of broken public services in Telford' says town's MP

Shaun Davies, MP for Telford and former solicitor, is calling for "vital" improvements to the local justice system after the Government announced a courts reform to see quicker justice for victims and to keep streets safe.

The government claims that victims of crime will see perpetrators face justice "more quickly under a once-in-a-generation review of criminal courts". Mr Davies has said Shrewsbury Crown Court will welcome a new judge in January, to join Shropshire's only current permanent judge Anthony Lowe.

In response to recent research, Telford's MP has raised issues within the justice system across both his constituency and wider Shropshire, and is demanding urgent action to boost capacity and efficiency at Telford Magistrates Court and Shrewsbury Crown Court.

After asking Parliamentary questions of the Ministry of Justice, Mr Davies described a system in disarray, with fewer magistrates, a shortage of crown court judges, longer case waiting times, and courtrooms sitting unused due to unresolved repair work.

The Telford MP said his investigation found there are 76 magistrates covering Shropshire and Kidderminster, down from 91 in 2019, and added there is one permanent crown court judge in Shrewsbury, down from two since Judge Peter Barrie retired last summer.

Mr Davies also reported that there have been no remand cases heard in Telford since 2017, and that the West Midlands has the highest number of cases, 1,571, that are awaiting crown court decision making having completed their police investigation.

The MP said there are longer delays for cases being heard in the crown court - of 42 days set against a target of 40 days.

Mr Davies also said that between January and December 2022, of 1,500 court sessions available at Telford Magistrates Court, only 754 were used, and that court room six at Telford Magistrates has been out of use since March last year due to the roof requiring repairs. 

Speaking after his findings, Shaun Davies MP said a second crown court judge will be in place in the county, starting in January.

"Our justice system is yet another example of the broken public services in Telford, a result of 14 years of Conservative government," said the Telford MP. 

"Telford voted for change, and by highlighting these worrying statistics, I aim to shine a light on the shocking state of our justice system so that we can drive improvements.

"Residents in Telford tell me they rarely see police patrolling their neighbourhoods, police investigations often take years to complete, and our justice system is on its knees. This means victims are waiting longer for justice, witnesses face delays in fulfilling their civic duties, the innocent are unable to clear their names promptly, and the guilty go unpunished for too long."

"Telford voted for change. I am pleased the court service has confirmed that a second crown court judge will be in place starting January, and remand court cases will once again be heard in Shropshire.

“I am pleased to see this review of the criminal courts system and I will continue fighting for additional resources and investment to reduce the backlog and ensure that Telford and Shropshire have a justice system that delivers for our community."