VIRTUAL court hearings have been rolled out early because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Police and crime commissioner John Campion, who has pressed for them to be introduced, said the move would help him honour his commitment to put victims and survivors first.

It was announced in 2018 that Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service were reducing the five West Mercia remand courts down to just one.

Mr Campion expressed great concern about this decision and the impact it would place on the criminal justice system.

As part of the PCC’s commitment to putting victims and survivors first, he coordinated partners and allocated funding to improve the way criminal justice is delivered within West Mercia and ensure that it is accessible for all. As a result of Covid-19, the virtual hearings, which were held for the first time on Monday in Worcester and Hereford, have been rolled out earlier than scheduled. He said: “I am concerned that an area the size of West Mercia would only have one remand court. At the time of the announcement I highlighted the impact this would place on other services and, as part of my commitment to reform West Mercia, I suggested introducing digital solutions like video-link."