Kingston News

Solicitors join campaign to save Kingston Magistrates' Court

By Martin George

4:58pm Thursday 2nd September 2010

Young people will be among those who suffer the most if Kingston Magistrates’ Court is closed, a group solicitors who represent clients there has warned.

In a submission to the Government, the eight lawyers branded the plans to close the court to save money “an act of folly”, and backed our campaign to keep the court open.

The group, led by Ovais Kadri, wrote: “At a time when we are encouraged to deal with all sort of matters locally, it is suggested this court, a shining example of local effort by unpaid magistrates, be closed down.

“Criminal practitioners are strongly of the view the court must be kept open in the public interest.”

The group singled out the impact on young people and police time of moving cases currently heard in Kingston to Richmond, Wimbledon and Putney.

They said: “Young people who appear at the youth court will find it very difficult to cope with the long distance involved. The statistics for warrants being issued for non-appearance will shoot up.

“The police will have to expend valuable manpower sorting out these warrants.

“Courts expect young people to attend with their parents or guardians. Parents, many of whom are already financially stretched, will not only be inconvenienced but will also be out of pocket.”

The lawyers also warned the current proximity of the court to the Crown Court, Crown Prosecution Service, Kingston probation and Kingston young offenders service, which allowed personal interaction and the smooth running of cases, would be lost.

To support the campaign and join the hundreds who have already signed our petition, visit surreycomet.co.uk/savekingstonmagistrates Kingston police are keeping a database of rebellious officers who have refused to patrol the streets on their own.

Police officers from across the Metropolitan Police started a Facebook group complaining that single patrolling would put them in danger, when it was introduced by Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson in February.

He argued it was more effective to patrol alone but the Police Federation claimed it was a public relations exercise designed to make it appear as if there were more officers on the beat.

Kingston police said there had only been two occasions when they had challenged their officers and acceptable reasons had been given.

A spokesman said: “We have reviewed our patrol strategy to ensure that, where appropriate, officers patrol alone.

“Clearly it falls to supervisors to post officers appropriately.

“Conversely, effective supervision means challenging officers if it is felt that the patrol strategy is not being adhered to.

“The spreadsheet mentioned is purely and simply a means of recording any such challenges when made by members of the senior management team.”

Kingston police faces more funding cuts next year when non-staff budgets are announced. The first cut made public so far is the non-replacement of a Chessington PCSO, who has been seconded to service elsewhere.

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