Efficiencies alone won’t fix the broken court system, says PCC 

A final report by Sir Brian Leveson has outlined more than 130 proposed efficiency changes to the court system.  

The Independent Review Part II was commissioned against the backdrop of a justice system in deep and sustained crisis, with the Crown Court caseload nearing 80,000 cases as of September 2025. 

In West Mercia, the Crown Court backlog continues to grow, with 1,583 outstanding cases in November 2025 and hearings now being listed as far ahead as 2029. 

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “Justice delayed is justice denied. Too many victims are waiting years for their day in court, prolonging trauma and harming their ability to cope and recover. 

“The report makes clear that Government funding has not kept pace with rising demand across the criminal justice system with increasing case complexity, court closures, a shrinking legal profession and a deteriorating estate stripping the system of the resilience it needs. 

“West Mercia Police is playing its part by investigating crime, arresting offenders and building strong cases, but without a properly funded and functioning criminal justice system beyond the police, those efforts are being undermined. 

“To be clear, efficiency reforms alone will not fix this. What is needed is sustained long-term investment, structural reform and stronger leadership across the entire criminal justice system. Anything less risks further collapse, greater harm to victims and a continued deterioration in public confidence. 

“The Government must now act decisively on this review. Victims and the public are counting on them to deliver one of the most significant transformations of the criminal justice system in a generation. This will only succeed if urgent action is taken to commit the necessary resources, funding and legislation to stabilise and modernise the courts, and to treat criminal justice as a core public service – not an optional extra. 

“As PCC, I will continue to speak up for victims and communities who expect better and play my part in implementing local recommendations.”