PUBLIC confidence in Wiltshire's criminal justice system has risen more than four per cent in the last two years, according to new figures.

Over 46 per cent of those asked said they were very confident or fairly confident in the ability of the CJS to bring offences to justice.

The figure is up from 42 per cent in March 2003.

Diana Fulbrook, chairman of Wiltshire's Criminal Justice Board, puts the increase in confidence down to the board's focus on supporting victims and witnesses of crime and on stepping up enforcement.

She said: "This increase in public confidence is encouraging. At the start of this year we launched a Witness Care Unit to better support victims and

witnesses of crime. November's Operation Payback was also a very successful campaign to crack down on unpaid fines.

"However our aim is to increase confidence even further throughout the next year and we have a programme of work to make this happen."

Gerry Fordham, manager of Wiltshire's Witness Care Unit, which was formed in February, said: "We are now supporting many victims and witnesses through the criminal justice process every month."

The board has a number of events planned in the next few months to raise awareness about what it does, the main one being on June 11 at Swindon Crown Court, Magistrates Court and the central police station.

The day will consist of five mock trials, guided tours to reflect the journey through the system, as well as other attractions such as fingerprints, a look around police and prison vans, and a visit to the cells.