THE growing issue of theft and burglary in Shropshire was raised in Parliament earlier this week.

North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan drew attention to the subject after seeing an increasing number of constituents expressing their concerns about the deteriorating state of law and order, particularly in market towns.

And Mrs Morgan highlighted the alarming statistic that the number of theft and burglary cases awaiting prosecution for over a year in crown courts, as handled by West Mercia Police, had tripled between 2020 and 2022.

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She voiced the frustrations of local families who have lost faith in the police's ability to apprehend and prosecute criminals during a debate in the House of Commons.

Mrs Morgan added: “I raised the issue of theft and burglary in the House earlier today as it is becoming an increasing problem for families and pensioners across North Shropshire.

“I've spoken to lots of local families who no longer believe these criminals will be caught let alone prosecuted.

“A large part of the issue is hold-ups in the justice system, with three times as many people waiting for one to two years as was the case three years ago.

“We cannot go on like this – it gives a licence to criminals and gets in the way of justice.”

She emphasized that one of the main contributing factors to the problem lies within the justice system itself, citing significant delays in processing cases.

Seeking a resolution, Mrs Morgan called for more up-to-date data on the existing backlogs and urged the Minister of State for Courts and Justice to outline the steps being taken to ensure timely justice for victims of such crimes in North Shropshire.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Courts and Legal Services, Mike Freer MP, responded by stating that measures were being implemented to address the issue.

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He said: “What we’re trying to do to see that the outstanding caseload continues to reduce is an increase in the judiciary, 1,000 more judges this year and next year, increasing court capacity with no cap on sitting days, and also the 24 Nightingale courts.

“This will make a tangible difference to the capacity of the court system so that her constituents in the case that she raised can be heard faster.”

The concerns raised by Mrs Morgan reflect a growing sentiment of unease within the community regarding the rise in theft and burglary cases.

As the government seeks to tackle the backlog and improve the efficiency of the justice system, it is hoped that swift action will be taken to restore faith in the process and provide a sense of security for residents across North Shropshire.