CPS Statement on HMCPSI Performance Assessment Report of Westminster

16/03/2010

Following publication of the HMCPSI performance assessment report of Westminster, Borough Crown Prosecutors Dolores Barrett and Sarah Boland said:

"Case preparation and progression is an important aspect that we are urgently working to improve. We are training staff to become paralegal officers and assistants to increase our coverage of Crown Court cases and enable better and more thorough preparation and progression which in turn will result in more successful prosecutions. 

"We now have two Borough Crown Prosecutors to oversee the work of the unit, one to deal with Magistrates court work and one to deal with Crown court work. They will be working alongside each other to ensure that performance in all aspects of the borough improves as directed by the Inspectorate.

"A London wide review of resourcing in each borough is currently in progress and will be completed shortly. This will ensure we have the right number of people in place to deal with the workload. Proper resources and clear structures and processes will improve case preparation, ensuring we have the strongest cases possible when we get to court and providing a better service to victims and witnesses. We are confident that will see conviction rates rise in both the Magistrates and Crown Courts.

"Ensuring those who are a victim of crime or who witness crime are kept informed about the progress of a case is of vital importance to the Crown Prosecution Service. We will prioritise the need to ensure that applications for special measures are submitted in time, so that people giving evidence are given every help they need in court.

"Our procedures regarding disclosure will be looked at urgently and all staff are being reminded of their responsibilities in providing unused material.

"We will be working with our Criminal Justice partners to bring in these changes, discussing ways we can work together to improve the service we provide. 

"There have been challenging and unsettling times for the CPS in Westminster and improvements are needed but I am hopeful that this report will signal the way forward. The Inspectorates findings make clear what aspects of our work we need to prioritise."

Ends