WE have consistently argued that there is an imbalance in the criminal justice system. The rights of the victims of crime are too often overshadowed by the rights of those who make their lives a misery.

We therefore welcome today's launch of a campaign aimed at making it easier for victims to take cases to court.

About a quarter of witnesses fail to turn up at court in this area - a staggering waste of time and money. But it will be another waste of public money if the local public consultation exercise, to find out why witnesses fail to come forward, is just another talking shop.

It has to be matched by action by the police, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the courts.

Victims must be given greater confidence that their complaints will be dealt with efficiently by the police, that the CPS will provide the necessary support to secure a conviction, and that the courts will hand out consistent punishments that fit the crime.

Family tragedy

OUR thoughts and prayers today are with the Readshaw family, who are trying to come to terms with the loss of a third child.

Catherine, ten, died at the weekend after a long fight against leukaemia. Her sister, Ann-Marie, drowned in 2001 and their brother, Daniel, lost his life in almost identical circumstances last year.

It is hard to understand why one family should have to face so much heartache. But we know how brave, dignified and special the Readshaw family is - and how much they need the support of us all.