Backlog of Criminal Cases Hits Record High in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester’s crown courts face a staggering backlog of over 5,300 criminal cases, prompting calls for urgent reform in the justice system
Greater Manchester, UK, Crown Courts, Backlog, Justice System
Greater Manchester: The crown courts are really struggling right now. There’s a massive backlog of over 5,300 criminal cases waiting to be heard. It’s a real mess.
New stats from the Ministry of Justice show that the three main courts—Manchester Crown Square, Manchester Minshull Street, and Bolton Crown Court—are all feeling the pressure. Minshull Street is particularly bad, with 2,378 cases stuck in limbo.
To put it in perspective, only one court in London has more cases waiting. The backlog has nearly doubled in just five years, and it’s hitting record levels.
Some serious changes might be on the table. The government is looking at “fundamental reform” to tackle this issue. They’re saying that the total number of criminal cases waiting in England and Wales is over 73,000.
Baroness Newlove, the victims’ commissioner, called this situation a “failure of our justice system.” She’s pushing for change, saying it just can’t go on like this.
The numbers are staggering. There are nearly 15,000 outstanding sexual offence cases, including over 3,000 for adult rape. Victims are facing waits of two to five years for their cases to go to trial, which is just unacceptable.
Prosecutors are sounding the alarm, saying that court listings are now stretching into 2027. It’s a tough time for everyone involved, and the director of public prosecutions has called the delays “totally unacceptable.”
The backlog is growing, with 5,660 cases stuck for two years or more. That’s a huge jump from just 592 cases back in December 2019. It’s clear that something needs to change.
Ministers are even considering scrapping jury trials in some cases to help clear the backlog. Newly appointed justice minister Sarah Sackman has said it’s become clear there’s a crisis in the crown court system.
She warned that if nothing changes, we could see a backlog of six figures. The current measures aren’t enough, and she’s calling for serious reform.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood echoed these concerns, saying the scale of the crisis is unprecedented. They’re looking for new ways to tackle the issue, even if it means making tough decisions about jury trials.
While some see scrapping jury trials as extreme, Sackman insists they’re a cornerstone of the justice system. But she also acknowledges that bold thinking is needed to address this crisis.