THE organisation responsible for bringing Swindon criminals to justice has received top marks from Her Majesty's inspectors.

The Wiltshire branch of the Crown Prosecution Service, based in Chippenham, was judged before Christmas.

The report said: "Wiltshire, while geographically quite large, is one of the smaller CPS areas because it has a relatively low caseload.

"The area has a clear vision and understands where it is going and what it is trying to receive."

Praise was given to staff who prepare cases for trial and ensure victims are kept up to speed with developments.

The organisation's work with the county's youth offending team was also praised. Blair Staynings, of the team, said: "We are closely tied in with the courts and other criminal justice agencies as part of the Government's reforms of the youth justice system.

"This partnership

is valuable and has many advantages such as fast tracking offenders, reducing levels of re-offending in Swindon, and continuing to win the confidence of the public by ensuring that victims of crime have a say

in any action taken against young offenders."