WEST Lancashire Magistrates in Ormskirk has been named as a specialist domestic violence court area.
Police, prosecutors, court staff, the probation service and specialist support services will now work together to identify, track and risk assess domestic violence cases, support victims and share information so that more offenders are brought to justice.
Additional features include having specially trained criminal justice staff dealing with domestic violence; separate entrances, exits and waiting areas so that victims don't come into contact with their attackers; cases brought together on a particular day or fast-tracked through the system, limiting the likelihood of further incidents; tailored support and advice from the Independent Domestic Violence Advisor and specialist domestic violence services in West Lancashire; community-based perpetrator programmes; and additional children's services.
West Lancs was one of only 30 in this round of accreditation to be chosen as a specialist domestic violence court system throughout England and Wales.
Bill Taylor, chief executive of West Lancs Disctrict Council and chairman of the West Lancashire Community Safety Partnership, said: "I'm delighted that we have got this rewarding status because it will only help improve the level of service we provide to victims of domestic violence.
“This success is testimony to all the hard work all the agencies have put into achieving this recognition and shows that we will collectively take a zero tolerance approach to any sort of domestic violence.
“It will also give victims confidence in the criminal justice system to report these crimes, and know that the system will help them."