Criminals could go free

The town's Victim Support and Witness Service says increased journey costs could prevent witnesses from travelling to Bury to give evidence.

Worried officials fear the problem could cause trials to collapse and conviction rates to fall. Complex cases could also take much longer to conclude, heaping pressure on both witnesses and victims.

New proposals would see the closure of Bolton's magistrates court and all work transferred to Bury.

Bolton's Victim Support district manager, Kath Bradley, said many crimes may never reach court at all.

Witnesses and magistrates may also risk a face-to-face meeting with defendants on buses or trains into Bury.

Mrs Bradley said: "Bolton is a big area but at least it is known to the victim and the witness. Victims will face much more stress.

"Our service supports victims of crime from the start, throughout court action and after. If we lose the court in our own town then the victims will end up being victims again."

Mrs Bradley's fears have been backed by Janet Taylor, the chairman of Bolton's magistrates' bench. Mrs Taylor said today: "Magistrates could end up sat on a bus with someone they have just sentenced. Not all of us travel to work by car.

"I do agree with these fears and they must be considered more as people cannot claim money back."

Bolton's Victim Support and Witness service helps crime victims and trial witnesses cope with the strain of court proceedings. Many are elderly people who struggle to attend court. Around 65 volunteers deal with 12,000 cases, including murder and rape, each year. And their workload is rising.

Mrs Bradley said that many witnesses fear reprisals. She said these cases would increase if Bolton's courthouse closes.

Bolton Magistrates Court could close by December unless a BEN campaign to save them is successful. WORRIED: Reporter Paul Britton talks to Victim Support and Witness Service district manager Kath Bradley about the possible court closure