Solicitor General Visits Airdrie Prosecution Service

17 AUGUST 2006

SOLICITOR GENERAL VISITS AIRDRIE PROSECUTION SERVICE

The Solicitor General, Elish Angiolini QC, met staff and District Procurator Fiscal Anne Donaldson at the Airdrie Procurator Fiscal Office. The visit is part of a programme of summer visits to local Fiscal offices across Scotland.

The Solicitor General was particularly keen to hear how staff in Airdrie are engaging with representatives of local minority communities so that the Fiscal service maintains an informed understanding of the diverse nature and needs of the communities it serves.

Mrs Angiolini said:

"The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has a strong commitment to engaging with local communities so we can maintain an informed understanding of the diverse needs of our communities and so that communities understand our role within the wider criminal justice system. This is a prominent theme in our recently published Strategic Plan for 2006 - 08."

"The Procurator Fiscal at Airdrie has built excellent links with local and ethnic minority communities in the district. Anne Donaldson and her team, who take the lead on diversity issues in Lanarkshire, are working hard to build on these links so that the service remains in touch with the communities it serves."

Area Procurator Fiscal Janet Cameron welcomed Elish Angiolini to the Airdrie Procurator Fiscal Office. Ms Cameron said:

"I am delighted to welcome the Solicitor General to the Airdrie Office. It provides me with an opportunity to update the Solicitor General on the work of staff throughout Lanarkshire to build awareness of the work of the Fiscal service and develop relationships with people in minority communities. This work, I know, is paying great dividends and helps us develop a greater understanding of the diverse nature and needs of those we serve."

Notes to editors:

1. The strategic plan was launched on the 26th of July 2006. The Strategic Plan 2006-2008 can be viewed on the COPFS website at
www.copfs.gov.uk/publications

2. The Strategic Plan 2006-2008 outlines how the COPFS will develop over the next few years. In particular the department will focus on:

  • using the full extent of the law to tackle serious and organised crime by continuing to develop the work of the Civil Recovery and Financial Crime Units to achieve a sustained increase in the numbers of assets seized and recovered;
  • replicating the success of High Court reforms at Sheriff and District Court level by having 60% of these cases disposed of within 26 weeks of the date of caution and charge by March 2008;
  • improving the service provided to victims, witnesses and next of kin;
  • securing the confidence of our diverse communities by improving the delivery of justice through the timely, efficient and effective prosecution of crime;
  • continuing to listen to frontline staff to identify improvements to working practices and working environment.

3. The Airdrie Procurator Fiscal Office is part of the Lanarkshire area. It employs 49 members of staff and dealing with about 14,000 police reports each year.

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