In Our Community

Below are some highlights of the work we have done in our community in 2004/2005:

Opening Up Justice

CPS prosecutors, managers and admin staff took part in Crown Court and Magistrates Court open days during the year. We staffed exhibition stands both individually to promote the work of the CPS and jointly with other agencies in the criminal justice system.

Consulting With the Community

CPS South Yorkshire led an innovative partnership between the South Yorkshire Criminal Justice Board and the Police Authority which has resulted in increased public visibility for all the criminal justice agencies.

The project raised community awareness of the work and role of both the CPS and CJS agencies. A questionnaire was returned by more 1,600 householders in South Yorkshire and a number of people attended focus groups where they discussed the subject of confidence in the criminal justice system.

Taking part in this initiative has enabled the CPS to better understand the views of the diverse communities we serve and take these into account when carrying out our work.

Dining over Diversity

South Yorkshire Criminal Justice Board held a ground breaking diversity dinner attended by over 60 representatives from the local community. CPS attended alongside its colleagues from the criminal justice system. The event was a great networking opportunity and allowed the community to raise a number of issues.

This event was a great step towards working with our community and we can assure all those who attended that we are working on the issues raised. Due to the success of the dinner a further diversity event is planned for Inside Justice Week 2005.

Engaging with Young People

CPS staff together with local school children and colleagues from the CJS became actors for a week to help produce a South Yorkshire school video to be launched in 2005. The video will be available to all secondary schools within South Yorkshire and used to help raise knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice process, stimulate class discussion and deter young people from becoming involved in crime.

Speaking to the Panel

In 2004/05 we have continued to attend Area Panels throughout South Yorkshire. CPS South Yorkshire has been invited to talk about a variety of subjects including anti social behaviour and fear of crime. In addition to the panel, we have also spoken at neighbourhood watch coordinators meetings and regular Probus meetings.