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# Commissioner says victims need to know what is being done to clear backlog of cases in the criminal justice system
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/commissioner-says-victims-need-to-know-what-is-being-done-to-clear-backlog-of-cases-in-the-criminal-justice-system/
- Published: 2020-07-25T08:42:31.000Z
- Updated: 2020-07-25T08:43:05.000Z
- Description: Victims of crime in Lichfield and Burntwood need to know how a backlog in the criminal justice system will be cleared, Staffordshire’s Commissioner has said.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Crime, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 18:14, News

Victims of crime in Lichfield and Burntwood need to know how a backlog in the criminal justice system will be cleared, Staffordshire’s Commissioner has said.

Matthew Ellis said he had “real concerns” about the impact of COVID-19 on the justice system.

![Matthew Ellis](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/matthew-ellis-cropped.jpg)

Matthew Ellis

He is calling for a clear strategy to deal with a backlog of cases caused by the pandemic.

> “I’m very concerned about how the system is going to catch up and get back to some kind of normality.  
>  
> “Earlier this week temporary ‘Nightingale Courts’ were announced at ten locations across the country to help tackle the huge backlogs, but Staffordshire wasn’t one of them, which is very disappointing.  
>  
> “I want to be clear on what is being done in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to get back on track as quickly as possible.  
>  
> “This can’t be done in a vacuum – agencies need to work together to help resolve this situation as soon as possible, before it gets out of control.”  
>  
> Staffordshire Commissioner Matthew Ellis

Latest figures show a 37% increase in outstanding magistrates’ cases across Staffordshire during the lockdown period.

Deputy Commissioner Sue Arnold said the current delays were not fair on those who waiting for justice.

> “Victims have already suffered enough. Even in normal circumstances the wait for their cases to be dealt with in the courts can put a huge strain on them and their families.  
>  
> “There’s a real risk many of these cases might just fall apart if victims can’t face waiting months more for justice to be done.  
>  
> “I want to ensure everything is being done in Staffordshire to help them through this uncertainty, keep them informed and give them support.  
>  
> “It’s not acceptable for victims to be forgotten about and left in the dark – there needs to be action and it needs to happen quickly.”  
>  
> Deputy Staffordshire Commissioner Sue Arnold