Julia Mulligan, North Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner and Jonathan Mortimer, the independent Chairman of the Out of Court Disposal Scrutiny Panel, are today asking for victims of crime to come forward to help scrutinise the use of police cautions and other non-court penalties.

The Panel was set up earlier in the year in response to public concern about the use of Out of Court Disposals in North Yorkshire. The Panel has identified that its objectives are to ensure that such penalties are used appropriately, consistently across the county and to make recommendations to North Yorkshire Police.

The Panel already has an independent chairman, as well as representatives from various criminal justice partners such as Magistrates, but members of the public are now being encouraged to sit on the Panel.

Jonathan Mortimer, independent Chairman of the Out of Court Disposal Panel said: “Victim representation is vital since we must engender victim trust and satisfaction in the varying methods of criminal justice disposal and give victims a voice”.

Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan said: “I want victims’ needs to be at the heard of everything we do. Having members of the public and victims of crime on the Panel will also increase transparency and understanding. I would ask members of the public who are interested in holding the police to account and have the relevant experience, to send us an email and apply.”

If you would like to put your name forward please email info@northyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk with your experience and why you think you are the right person to sit on the Panel. You will need to have experience of being the victim of crime where an Out of Court Disposal has been used or considered. Further, to have an interest in the criminal justice system and an understanding of the effect of crime on victims would be an advantage. The post will be voluntary but all expenses will be reimbursed.

You can also put your name forward:

Online at: http://www.northyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk/?p=8077

Write to:

Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

12 Granby Road

Harrogate

North Yorkshire

HG1 4ST

Telephone: 01423 569 562