THE drive is on to recruit new members to fill magistrates’ court benches across the North East and North Yorkshire.

A new marketing campaign launched by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) seeks to boost bench numbers by 4,000 across the country.

Recruits will be expected to help tackle the backlog of criminal cases in the “lower courts” caused by the pandemic.

It represents the largest recruitment effort in the 650-year history of the magistracy and could increase the ‘workforce’ by up to a third in coming years.

But it is being backed by one long-serving JP in the North-East, well-known for her support for the royal family.

The MoJ said it is keen to tackle misconceptions about magistrates and increase interest in the role in the region and beyond.

Research is said to show 21-per cent of people in North East are interested in becoming a magistrate but this rises to 45pc when they learn more about what is involved.

Just over half of magistrates are women, 50.5pc, but the MoJ is keen to continue to attract, and increase, numbers of candidates ensure the magistracy reflects the diversity of the region.

It is particularly seeking to attract a younger wave of volunteers, with less than one in ten JPs in the region aged 39 or under.

Backing the campaign is Anita Atkinson, from a remote farm near Wolsingham, County Durham.

The Royal ‘super-fan’ is now 65, and retired, but has been a magistrate for 30 years.

She combines her work on the bench with volunteering as a school governor.

But, as a full-time mother, she became a magistrate so she could further help the local community.

Mrs Atkinson said: “I’d urge anyone to apply.

“I’m from a working-class background and older members of my family told me not to apply because I wasn’t ‘wealthy or posh enough’.

“They couldn’t be more wrong.

“You just have to be a community player, someone who cares about the area you live in and its people.

“It’s a very satisfying role.

“I’ve learnt justice isn’t always about punishment, it’s about listening, understanding needs, and making the best decisions for both victims, defendants and the community as a whole.”

Read more: Volunteer as a Magistrate

Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Dominic Raab, said: “Magistrates are a vital pillar of our world-class justice system and we want people from every part of society represented in their ranks.

“If you care about your community and want to give back then I would encourage you to apply to become a magistrate.

“There are few other opportunities that can make such a difference in people’s lives.”

Further details about applying to become a magistrate can be found via: icanbeamagistrate.co.uk.

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