09/07

CPS DORSET ANNUAL REPORT: 149% INCREASE IN HOUSE ADVOCACY

20/06/2007

A 149 per cent increase in the number of Crown Court cases prosecuted internally (as apposed to instructing Counsel) is one of the successes outlined in the Dorset Annual Report published today.

Chief Crown Prosecutor, Kate Brown said: As a result of our Advocacy policy we saw a significant increase in the number of Crown Court cases prosecuted by our staff. I aim to increase this with lawyers dealing with the more serious cases from cradle to grave, to ensure a consistent approach to justice in Dorset.

Last year was an extremely challenging year for CPS Dorset. We saw a significant increase in the number of offenders brought to justice. This could not have been achieved without the hard work and commitment of my staff and I would like to thank them for this.

The CPS Dorset Annual Report also highlights:

• Conditional Cautioning: A new measure introduced in Dorset in January 2007 which gives us the opportunity to issue cautions to offenders with conditions attached. Conditional Cautioning provides swift justice for the victim. An example of condition could be the offender paying compensation to the victim, without the victim having to go through the court process.
• Specialist Domestic Violence Courts: This is a new initiative where Domestic Violence cases are dealt with in a designated weekly Court in Bournemouth or Weymouth. Victims are supported from the outset by Independent Domestic Violence Advisors who provide a single point of contact for victims throughout the criminal justice process.
• Proceeds of Crime: The powers of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 enable us to confiscate money and property acquired through criminal activity. In Dorset last year £1,943,892 was acquired from criminals.

For a copy of the report please contact Carrie Sanderson on 01202 498719 or visit our website www.cps.gov.uk/dorset.

Ends

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. An example of where we have used conditional cautioning in Dorset was for an offender who, following an argument with his girlfriend at the Bowlplex in Poole, punched a plastic poster causing it to break, and then punched and broke a pane of glass in a door.  He admitted what he had done and a conditional caution was given. The conditions of the caution were to write a letter of apology to the victim and pay £225 in compensation for the repairs.
2. For further information or to arrange an interview please contact Carrie Sanderson on 01202 498719 or at Carrie.Sanderson@cps.gsi.gov.uk