Counter Terrorism, Organised Crime & Special Crime Divisions - Criteria for referral
Principle
Most cases are handled by CPS Areas but there are categories of serious, sensitive and complex casework that for compelling operational or resource reasons need to be undertaken at the centre.
As part of the CPS strategy to strengthen the prosecution of these types of cases, three new central divisions have been created.
Following is a short summary of each division and the criteria for cases which must be referred to them:
Counter Terrorism Division
The Counter Terrorism Division (CTD) has been set up to deal with all cases of Terrorism, War Crimes, Crimes against Humanity, incitement to racial hatred, official secrets, hijacking and any other state crime.
CTD will be operating from London only and therefore ALL work fitting into the above categories should be referred to London rather than geographically as it was previously.
Organised Crime Division
The Organised Crime Division (OCD) has been formed as a response to the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and will deal exclusively with SOCA cases when SOCA becomes a legal entity in April 2006. In the interim OCD will take on all new National Crime Squad (NCS) cases and provide advice to NCS officers.
There is a convenient geographical split with the three operational NCS command units in the North, West and East. OCD York will cover the North Operational Command Unit, OCD Birmingham will cover the West Operational Command Unit (South West, Wales and Midlands) and OCD London will cover the East Operational Command Unit which includes London.
Special Crime Division
The Special Crime Division (SCD) will deal with the serious, sensitive and complex casework (that does not fall to be dealt with under the Counter Terrorism or Organised Crime divisions), which for compelling reasons need to be undertaken at the centre rather that in the Areas.
The SCD will be operating from the HQ offices in both London and York although there is some casework that will be handled exclusively in London.
A list of the types of case dealt with by the SCD may be found at Annex A. In addition, the types of criminal allegations against persons serving with the police that fall to be considered by the SCD may be found in Annex B.
As a general rule the SCD office that deals with the case will be determined by the location of the investigating police force. A map of CPS areas may be found below and the red line denotes the division of work between London and York (casework from police forces operating in CPS areas above the line should be sent to York, below the line to London).
Service Area Map
