The Justice Secretary, the Rt. Hon Chris Grayling MP, has today visited Corby Magistrates' Court, as part of my Listening Campaign.
As part of the visit, the Secretary of State met with local magistrates and discussed local justice issues, including HM Courts & Tribunals Service's proposals for changes to 'listing patterns' in Northamptonshire and talked about the fall in crime under this Government, with figures released last month showing a drop of 16% over the year.
As someone who strongly believes in the importance of justice being dispensed as locally as possible, I was delighted to invite the Justice Secretary to meet the hardworking local magistrates, who do a difficult and important job on behalf of local people. Both the magistrates and I, have highlighted to Chris, concerns over listing pattern changes locally, which have the potential for Corby Court to be used for trials only.
I am, however, very pleased at the rapid drop in crime under this Conservative-led Government, with figures now at a low not seen since 1981 and through my Listening Campaign, I continue to push for more police out on the beat, catching criminals and deterring crime.