REDDITCH MP Jacqui Smith paid her first visit to a magistrates court on Monday when she was invited into a town courtroom to see for herself the workings of the court.
Ms Smith met chairmen of the bench Pat Moore, Max Field, Gordon Reddish and Patricia Bradbury and discussed issues relating to the government's drive to cut the time taken in dealing with persistent young offenders and licensing arrangements.
Ms Smith also met representatives from Victim Support and the Witness Service and discussed new challenges the organisations face.
She said: "I spoke with magistrates about the range of different cases they deal with and saw a court in operation for the first time, which was very interesting.
"Before the last election, Jack Straw came to Redditch to see the Witness Service because it was quite unique in operating within a magistrates court.
"Since then, Government funding has been made available to extend that service and I was able to talk to them about extra money they have coming and extending the service further in the future."
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