Riot arrests overwhelm courts, delaying justice for other cases
updated on 16 August 2024
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The flurry of riot-related prosecutions following violent disorder across parts of the UK in recent weeks will cause further delays in other cases, the head of the criminal justice inspectorate has warned.
So far there’ve been over 1,000 people arrested and almost 600 charged in connection with the riots and violent attacks that took place in the wake of the murders of three girls in Southport on 29 July 2024.
Many of the attacks were focused on mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers after misinformation was spread online about the Southport suspect. In some areas police were also attacked as they attempted to control the disorder.
Those who’ve pleaded guilty to the charges have been fast-tracked in the justice system with many already jailed. Those who’ve denied the charges join the backlog of almost 70,000 criminal cases waiting to be heard in a crown court trial.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Anthony Rogers, chief inspector of His Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Services Inspectorate, commented that the criminal justice system was already under huge pressure and further delays to other cases, including rape and sex offence cases, would now be inevitable.
He commented: “My concern is that if you add a lot more cases into the system it is like pushing a balloon out on one side and it is going to come out on the other. More cases is likely to mean more delay.
“One of the solutions is more resources, of course, but there is competition for taxpayers’ money, criminal justice is one of many priorities.
“If resources are not increased substantially then there needs to be some radical thinking about how the criminal justice system operates, and perhaps a Royal Commission is needed to look at these issues in detail.”
Roberts added that all victims and defendants deserve fast justice, not just those who’ve been involved with violence and public disorder.
