A NEW chair has been appointed to Lancashire Criminal Justice Board (LCJB).

Bob Mathers, chief officer of Lancashire Probation Service, will now lead the board's work, which involves improving the delivery of justice and increasing public confidence in the county.

The LCJB consists of chief officers from all the criminal justice agencies in Lancashire - the Police, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Courts, Probation and Prison services, Lancashire Youth Offending Team (LYOT) and Victim Support Lancashire.

It is responsible for improving the delivery of justice and increasing public confidence in the county.

Mr Mathers said: "The Criminal Justice Board in Lancashire is already both highly regarded and highly effective.

"I welcome the opportunity to continue to play a part in the leadership of the board, now as chair.

"The board provides a unique opportunity to coordinate some key aspects of the work of its member organisations."

He added: "Over the next year the focus will be on bringing offenders, especially those committing serious crime, to justice, speeding up Court processes, improving services to victims and having greater engagement with the communities of Lancashire."

Mr Mathers replaces Bob Marshall, Chief Prosecutor of the Crown Prosecution Service who was chair last year.