Hemel Hempstead MP Mike Penning has welcomed new Government action to give Hertfordshire police the power to prosecute up to 50 per cent of magistrates’ court cases.

The red-tape-cutting move will mean thousands of cases can be taken through the courts by police officers, saving time and money and meaning a quicker result for victims.

Mike Penning said:
“At the moment the police and the Crown Prosecution Service end up duplicating work when cases are taken through the Magistrates Court, which wastes time and money and means the victims of crime have to wait longer to get the justice they deserve.

“These changes will mean a leaner and more effective system, with our trusted local police able to put fighting crime first.”

Home Secretary Theresa May MP said:
“This move will slash bureaucracy, speed up justice and hand more discretion back to police officers.

“Our model of more power for the police and the public and less for the bureaucrats will free up the finest officers in the world to fight crime.”