Local Criminal Justice Board
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) works closely with other criminal justice agencies, such as the police, probation and court service to undertake joint community work.
Collectively these local agencies are known as the Local Criminal Justice Board (LCJB). The board has responsibility for overseeing and co-ordinating a joined up Criminal Justice approach.
The board also aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice system and the organisations within it as well as enhance public confidence and raise awareness of the criminal justice system.
General information about the agencies that form the board can be found on the DirectGov website at www.direct.gov.uk
The DirectGov website has information about the police including your rights if arrested, types of crime, crime prevention; reporting crime and anti-social behaviour, going to court (including serving as a juror), help for victims and witnesses, sentencing, prison and probation; crime statistics; the judicial system and counter terrorism.
Police
Police forces exist to investigate and prevent crime, reduce offending and to protect and serve their communities. To find out more about the forces in the Eastern area please visit their websites at:
Her Majesty's Courts Service
Her Majestys Courts Service (HMCS) is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice with a remit to deliver justice effectively and efficiently.
In England and Wales HMCS is responsible for managing magistrates courts, crown courts, county courts, the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Tribunals Service.
To find out more about HMCS visit its website at www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk
Essex Probation
Essex Probation works with offenders from first court appearance to completion of sentence to protect the public and reduce re-offending.
They do this by delivering the sentences of the courts through credible and effective community punishments, including a range of programmes to change offending behaviour.
To find out more about the work of Essex Probation, and to find out how you can get involved in deciding on unpaid work projects that offenders can carry out in your local area, visit its website at Probation Service
Her Majesty's Prison Service
Her Majestys Prison Service is responsible for holding prisoners securely, either while on remand before conviction, or following sentence.
In addition to protecting the public by holding prisoners securely, HMPS is charged with reducing the risk of prisoners re-offending by delivering a range of interventions and programmes to address the issues that contribute to their offending behaviour.
To find out more about the work of Her Majestys Prison Service visit its website at www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk
Youth Offending Teams
Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) are multi-agency partnerships aimed to prevent offending by children and young people. This is achieved by working together with young people, their parents or carers, victims of crime and other agencies or organisations, including the local community.
For information on their work please visit www.yjb.gov.uk
