It is absolutely right that courts should clamp down hard on defendants who fail to turn up for hearings, even to the extent of jailing them.

This policy should be strictly enforced except in cases where the defendant can prove a very good excuse. The problem is huge, with 16 per cent of defendants failing to turn up for their first hearing in Bradford and 17 per cent in Keighley.

Attendance at court by those accused of any offences should not be regarded as optional. They are called there for a reason. Complex arrangements are often put in place in the interests of ensuring that justice is done. Witnesses are called, court time is booked.

For the accused person then to decide not to bother turning up wastes a lot of time and effort, puts extra pressure on the judicial system and costs a great deal of money.

Nor is it simply a matter of court time. The police have to become involved too, trying to track down anyone on a warrant of arrest. This is an imposition they can well do without at a time when police resources are stretched to the limit.

One of the indicators for justice being seen to be done is the rate at which cases are dealt with by the courts. A lot of effort has been put into speeding things up in Bradford so that those accused of crimes don't spend too much time wondering about their fate.

It is time for a firm line to be taken with those who irresponsibly undermine that effort.