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The Crown Prosecution Service is the government department responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales.

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Home » News Centre » Press Releases » CPS wins top race award

CPS wins top race award

22/10/2004

The Crown Prosecution Service has scooped a prestigious award for organisational excellence on equality and diversity, seeing off stiff competition from criminal justice partners and other parts of the public sector. The award was in particular recognition of the community consultation, which underpinned the CPS policy on prosecuting racist and religious crime. Three other CPS projects also received commendations.

The award, made at the annual RaceActionNet conference, positively recognises the ways in which the CPS opened up its policy to diverse communities. In giving them access to decision making, it promoted a policy on racist and religious crime that is accessible in style, language and format.

Director for Public Prosecutions, Ken Macdonald QC said:

"We are delighted to achieve this external endorsement of our work on equality and diversity. We are determined to be known for our results in this area. Prosecuting hate crime robustly and fairly is part of our commitment to protecting diversity. We view and treat such crimes particularly seriously. They are an attack on the fabric of our society itself. We are very pleased and proud that our efforts have been recognised. We will continue our rigorous approach to such cases, increasing the number of offences brought to justice and raising public confidence."

Seamus Taylor, Director of Equality and Diversity said:

"This award is a well deserved recognition of the transformation made on equality and diversity in the CPS. In the past three to four years we have made great strides forward to both secure one of the most diverse workforces in the public sector together with policies and practices fit for prosecuting in a diverse society. This is a recognition of the journey travelled and will inspire us to continued progress."

Gerard Lemos, project director for RaceActionNet said

"Since joining RaceActionNet over 18 months ago the Crown Prosecution Service has become an active member of the service and a regular contributor to the website. This online participation is mirrored by the hard work they continue to undertake across the country in improving and delivering prosecution policy and practice. Their RaceActionNet Award for organisational excellence is justly deserved."

Other areas of CPS work highlighted for commendation are:

  • West Midlands CPS for work with the police and education services on developing an anti gun and gang education programme.
  • Coventry CPS for their partnership work with West Midlands Police in the "No Witness, No Justice" programme to set up witness care units in the area.

  • Sussex CPS and specifically the work of the late Mrs Rachel McConnell, the Area Equality and Diversity Champion for her tireless work with the Brighton and Hove Race Forum in monitoring all racially aggravated prosecutions to ensure that lessons are learnt and best practice is spread.

Baroness Helena Kennedy, QC when presenting the award to Seamus Taylor, Liz Howe and Laurence Gouldbourne of the CPS, said:

"This award is also an acknowledgement of the many initiatives and examples received from the CPS around the country for these awards - itself a reflection of the progress made by the organisation towards excellence."

  1. Media enquiries to CPS Press Office on 020 7710 6091.
  2. A copy of the policy statement and the guidance to prosecutors is available on the CPS website at is available on this website here. The statement has been translated into ten community languages. Braille and audiotape versions are also available. A leaflet summarising the statement and detailed guidance for prosecutors accompany the policy statement.
  3. RaceActionNet is a network of agencies from all sectors tackling racist attacks. http://www.raceactionnet.co.uk
  4. The CPS Racist and Religious Crime Prosecution Policy Statement sets out the way in which the CPS deals with cases of racist and religious crime, explains the offences and how the law works, how decisions about prosecutions are made and how these cases are monitored by the CPS. It also explains policy on communication with victims and witnesses during the life of a case and special measures, which can be provided to support particularly vulnerable victims and witnesses at court.