Confidence is growing in the region's criminal justice system, latest figures show.

A report by the National Criminal Justice Board also reveals that the number of ineffective trials - hearings that are aborted or put back - continues to fall.

Figures released this week show that 40 per cent of North-East and North Yorkshire residents believe the criminal justice agencies are effective in bringing criminals to justice.

Baseline figures for the year ending March 2003 show 37 per cent of the public had confidence in the system.

In 2002, around 25 per cent of crown court trials failed to take place on the day planned.

This figure dropped to 17 per cent from July to September last year.

In the region's magistrates courts, 18 per cent failed between July and September last year, compared to 28 per cent during the same period in 2002.

Chief Constable Sean Price, chairman of the Cleveland Criminal Justice Board, said: "These figures really are good news and show that the public is recognising the tremendous effort which so many people are making to improve the way in which the system works at every stage.

"For example, reducing the number of ineffective trials by such a large amount is a reflection of the combined work of several different agencies and we are now involved in other initiatives - such as the development of witness care units - to improve the performance still further.

"No-one within the criminal justice system is complacent, but I do believe that these figures demonstrate that we are certainly moving in the right direction."

Cleveland, County Durham and Darlington, and North Yorkshire criminal justice boards have all met the Government's target designed to limit the number of days it takes for an arrested persistent young offender to be sentenced.

Robert Turnbull, North Yorkshire chief prosecutor and deputy chairman of the North Yorkshire Criminal Justice Board, said: "This progress is thanks to the police, prosecutors, courts and other criminal justice partners working together to improve the quality of service for people in North Yorkshire.

"Our aim is to deliver an effective and efficient criminal justice system, and we are working particularly hard to improve support to those most affected by crime, especially victims and witnesses."