YEOVIL is among the top ten wosrt areas in the country for street crime - and the local magistrates' court is to be given fast-track status to deal with the growing problem.

The Lord Chancellor has decided that South Somerset Magistrates' Court, which is located in Yeovil, is to be part of a programme rolled out in the country's ten worst areas for street-related offfences.

Specialist street crime courts will fast-track cases and provide a premium service to victims and witnesses, it was announced last week.

The Yeovil court is one of 41 magistrates' courts selected for the programme. The areas in the programme are: Avon and Somerset, Greater Manchester, Greater London, Lancashire, Merseyside, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, Thames Valley, West Midlands and West Yorkshire.

Courts in the programme will provide victims and witnesses with support and facilities such as secure waiting areas in order to avoid intimidation. Chairmen of Benches and Youth Panels have received instructions from the Lord Chancellor, outlining the important role of magistrates in ensuring the programme is a success.

The Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine, said: "Street crime is being given a priority throughout the criminal justice system from arrest through to conviction. In order to deal with these cases most effectively, 67 courts in the ten areas with the biggest problem are being designated specialist street crime courts.

"These courts will also provide premium support and facilities for victims and witnesses to ensure they are able to give their best evidence without the fear of intimidation at court."

Yeovil MP David Laws commented on the announcement by saying: "I support measures to speed up the way street crime cases are dealt with. It stands to reason that these cases should be dealt with quickly, but why has the government waited five years to act on this issue?

"It is important that the processing of all crime should be sped up - far too often people do not get the service they need and so feel let down by the criminal justice system"

* There seems to be some confusion with regards to the time scale of the programme. Last Thursday, a bulletin from the Lord Chancellor's Department said there is an ongoing programme to improve facilities in all courts.

A spokesman from the same department's press office said on the same day that the programme would be up and running "from now" while an individual - who took the time to ask around - at South Somerset Magistrates' Court said: "We haven't been given any information about it."