HAMPSHIRE'S police boss has hit out at striking barristers amid a "large backlog of cases due to the pandemic".
Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones says the impact on victims waiting for justice for some of the most serious crimes is being increased by the industrial action.
Her comments come as members of the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) voted on Monday to stage an indefinite, uninterrupted strike in England and Wales.
Taking place next month, the strike is part of an ongoing row with the government over pay and legal aid cuts.
But Ms Jones, Victim's Lead for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, said the strike will increase the impact caused by previous action.
Read more: Criminal barristers in England and Wales vote for all-out strike
"The impact from the previous strike action from July has already meant trials for some of the worst crimes have been delayed," she said.
"If convicted, this means dangerous people have been on our streets for longer than they should be.
"Any further delays could result in victims completely disengaging from the process which could mean potentially dangerous people will walk free without ever being put before a court.
"The impact on victims waiting for their case to be heard can be almost as impactful as the alleged incidents themselves."
The CBA is asking for a 25 per cent rise in pay for legal aid work when they represent defendants who cannot afford lawyers.
Read more: Barristers balloted on escalating action to an all-out strike
Mark Fenhalls QC, Chair of the Bar Council, said: “It is a matter of deep regret to all of us that barristers have been driven as a last resort to take this further action. Members of the criminal Bar have been feeling mistreated, undervalued and overwhelmed for a decade or more.
“Politicians cannot be in any doubt as to the dire state of the criminal justice system. Ministers must look again immediately at ways to fund the backlog cases and bring a resolution to this difficult situation.”
Proposed strike action would begin on September 5.
Commissioner Jones added: "Following the Sir Christopher Bellamy review into legal aid last year, the Government offered a 15% increase in legal aid fees to barristers but they have rejected it.
“Any victim concerned about their case being affected by the strike should contact the witness care team via their local police force.”
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