CRIMINAL prosecutions in North Yorkshire could be accelerated by a £3m building on the outskirts of a city.

Work is already under way on the 24,000 sq ft two-storey building at Clifton Moor in York, which will be home to a new prosecution team.

The team has been set up in response to the findings of the Government-commissioned Glidewell Report, published in 1998.

It will combine the North Yorkshire Police Administration Support Unit and legal, administration and management teams from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), North Yorkshire Area office, who will work side by side in the same building for the first time.

The Witness Support Unit will also join the team as part of improvements to victim and witness care.

It is hoped that the team will speed up criminal prosecutions by improving teamwork and communications.

Superintendent Colin Taylor, head of North Yorkshire Police's Administration of Justice department and spokesman for the new prosecution team, said: "The preparation work for our new premises has taken some time but we are looking forward to moving into what will be highly-efficient new premises from where we can deliver an enhanced service which will benefit the public we serve."

The Glidewell Report recommended that the services are fully integrated and this has been addressed in the design and internal layout of the offices by Thirsk company, Severfield-Reeve Projects.

Managing director Lindsay Ross said: "We are proud to be part of the team working with the Crown Prosecution Service and North Yorkshire Police to provide this exciting new building and contribute to the service improvements it will bring.

"The prosecution team's aims mirror our own approach to service delivery.

"Our comprehensive integrated service means that we have provided the site, carried out the design, handled all the planning issues, will deliver the construction and are the landlord - all from a single point of responsibility.

"This approach streamlines our service by improving communication in a similar way to how the new offices will for the combined prosecution team.

"We are delighted to be involved in such a ground-breaking project."

The building will house about 90 staff and is due to become operational early next year.