A GOVERNMENT minister will be taking centre stage to look at ways of improving the criminal justice system during a conference in the region today.

Home Office Minister Baroness Scotland will deliver a speech at Cleveland Criminal Justice Board's annual stakeholders conference at the Samsung Centre, Wynyard, near Billingham, Teesside, before taking part in a question-and-answer session.

Among the topics to be highlighted will be a project to provide improved support for victims and witnesses as well as reducing the number of ineffective trials.

The project hopes to support victims and witnesses through the full legal process, from reporting incidents through court appearances, to sentencing.

Cleveland Chief Constable Sean Price, who is also chairman of the justice board, said: "Improving services to victims and witnesses is crucial if we are to continue the remarkable success achieved in reducing the number of ineffective trials in our courts and early next year the new Witness Care Units will swing into operation."

Members of the board who will attend the meeting include the Cleveland Magistrates Committee, Cleveland Police, the Crown Prosecution Service for Cleveland, the probation service, the prison service, youth offending teams and Victim Support.