Courts witness joy of text

Three local authorities across the UK have turned to text messaging to cut witness waiting times in court.

Lincoln, Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire criminal courts will use a new system called Xhibit, which will notify witnesses, including police officers, when they are required to attend court by sending them an SMS.

The system is set to roll out across courts in England and Wales, following a trial in a London court last year.

The Xhibit system will also cut the time that judicial bodies - including the police and Victim Support - need to access case information and will allow the police to update the Police Nation Computer faster.