A rise in gang violence and miscarriages of justice will be the result of Croydon Magistrates’ Court’s extra caseload as closure elsewhere take hold, it has been claimed.

The Ministry of Justice announced on Wednesday, February 8, the closure of Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court in a bid to make savings.

It comes despite an overwhelming opposition to the proposals through a consultation period in September last year. It is expected that operations at the court could be ceased as soon as next year.

Hearings for defendants over 18 will then be moved to Croydon – a court that, according to solicitors, is already overstretched and experiences waiting times of more than two months.

Cases for defendants under 18 will be heard at Bromley Magistrates’ Court.

The consultation received 62 responses from three MPs, 11 judges, magistrates, court staff and 13 public sector bodies – including the Metropolitan Police.

And one respondent to the proposals went so far as to say there will be a rise in gang violence as a result of the decision because rival gangs from different post codes will appear in the same building.

The respondent, named as a ‘Professional User’ in the report, said: “The idea that two boroughs can be amalgamated will provoke clashes between rival gangs appearing on the same date or at the same building.

“Most young defendants are strangely parochial and fearful of travel outside their postcodes.

“Anyone who has seen a terrified 16 year old frantically summoning his friends to court to escort him out of the building because opposition gang members are waiting outside will understand the reality of this.”

Anu Huneewoth, who has been a solicitor for 10 years and regularly uses Croydon Magistrates’ Court, said the extra cases will “definitely” cause miscarriages of justice.

She told the Croydon Guardian: “Waiting lists will be even longer, and we already wait a long time to get a trial date set. We on average wait about two months.

“It will definitely lead to miscarriages of justice. [Some] judges will be inclined, I imagine, to rush through cases with the added pressure from being handed more of them.”

Chris Philp, Conservative MP for Croydon South, said he is looking for ways to ensure the court gets more resources in the face of the added hearings.

He said: “I opposed this closure plan because Croydon Magistrates’ Court is already overstretched and I am concerned that this move will increase pressure on it.”

It is expected the building, in D’Eynsford Road, Camberwell, will cease operations in October or December next year.

An HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) Spokeswoman said they are confident access to justice will be maintained despite the cuts.

She said: “We have a world leading legal system and are investing £1billion to modernise our courts and tribunals to deliver justice that is efficient, simple and works for everyone.

“London has the densest concentration of magistrates' courts in the country and we are confident access to justice can be maintained and significant savings for re-investment in our court reforms can be achieved through these closures.”

Robert Bourns, president of Law Society, an independent body that supports solicitors, said the closure would mean the justice system will be out of reach for many in the capital.

He said: “This decision is ill-considered given [that the] Government has carried out a no more than cursory assessment of the impact on access to justice of the very recent closure of courts across England and Wales, including 10 in London.

“And it is just extraordinary the Government would close Camberwell Green magistrates’ court less than a year after it spent so much public money making it fit for 21st century justice.”

Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court will also shut as part this round of court closures.

Some 86 courts, including 10 in London, will close, or already have, across England and Wales as part of the plans rolled out last year.

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