A NEW award-winning computer system which gets court information to victims, witnesses and police much quicker has been launched in West Yorkshire.

The Xhibit system, which now operates at Leeds and Bradford Crown Courts, enables users such as police, the prosecutors and witness groups to get important case details in minutes rather than days.

The £20m system can update individual court users on the progress of a case through criminal justice agencies.

The messages are sent either by text, e-mail or pager.

The public can also track court hearings on-line using the internet or via screens in the court building.

Constitutional affairs minister, MP Harriet Harman QC said: "Attending court can be stressful at the best of times.

"With Xhibit, witnesses can now be more in touch with their case using the latest technology.

"There will be local benefits too, as police will spend less time waiting at court to give evidence."