A THREE-year strategic plan for the criminal justice system in Lancashire has been unveiled.

And one of the county's top judges has said the initiative will help achieve the Government stated aim of reducing crime and tackling the causes of crime.

The plan has been launched by the Criminal Justice Strategy Committee for Lancashire which involves representatives of all the agencies involved in criminal justice.

These include the police, Crown Prosecution Service, the Crown Court Service, Magistrates Courts, probation service, youth offending teams, social services and victim support.

The committee provides a framework for all the agencies to work together with the aim of improving the services they provide.

His Honour Judge Peter Openshaw QC, the chairman of the committee, said that to achieve the Government's stated aims and to deal with the crimes that do occur, it is vital that Lancashire has a modern, efficient and effective criminal justice system.

"All the criminal justice agencies in Lancashire share that sentiment," said Judge Openshaw.

"In simple terms our aim is to reduce crime, the fear of crime and to promote confidence in the criminal justice system. We have identified a small number of strategic objectives on which we will focus our efforts."

The objectives include:

Improving services available to meet the needs of victims, witnesses and jurors

Meeting the needs of children within the criminal justice system

Providing equality of service free from discrimination

Reducing delays