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The Role of The Crown Prosecution Service

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

As the principal prosecuting authority in England and Wales, we are responsible for:

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Home » News Centre » Press Releases » More domestic violence offenders convicted

More domestic violence offenders convicted

29/06/2006

More domestic violence offenders are being convicted and more are pleading guilty according to new CPS figures issued today. Cases which were heard in Specialist Domestic Violence Courts show an even greater improvement in conviction rates than non-specialist courts.

The figures were released in the annual CPS snapshot survey which counted and analysed the number of cases of domestic violence finalised in December 2005. This was the fourth similar snapshot of domestic violence cases the CPS has carried out since 2002.

Director of Public Prosecutions, Ken Macdonald QC said: "These figures are very encouraging and show that year by year our performance in prosecuting domestic violence cases is improving. Domestic violence victims are receiving a better service and better care in the criminal justice system than ever before."

The survey contains the following key findings:

  • In December 2005 59 percent of cases resulted in a conviction, compared to 53 percent in 2004 with a 68 percent conviction rate in the Crown Court where more serious offences are heard.
  • In cases prosecuted in Specialist Domestic Violence Courts - now operating in 25 courts - 71 percent of defendants were convicted.
  • 52 percent of defendants pleaded guilty, compared to 45 percent in the previous year.
  • Recorded cases in December 2005 increased by 32 percent from the year before (3,045 compared to 2,229 in December 2004).
  • More cases of common assault are being charged (74 percent of cases compared with 51 percent in 2004).

Since April 2005 the CPS has also monitored domestic violence prosecution performance on a quarterly basis using data from its case management IT system. The emerging figures from this performance monitoring show similar trends to the snapshot monitoring. The conviction rate improved from 55 percent in April 2005 to nearly 60 percent in April 2006 and there was a reduction in dropped cases, from 37 percent to 33 percent.

Ken Macdonald QC added: "Although there is still much to do to ensure that this progress continues, we are seeing the benefits of the work we have been involved in with criminal justice partners to spread good practice, improve training and set up specialist domestic violence courts. Through ongoing consultation with voluntary organisations who work on behalf of domestic violence victims we are also making sure our policies and training take into consideration the views and concerns of victims."

Last year 1300 CPS staff were trained in domestic violence issues, including all area domestic violence coordinators and lawyers who prosecute in the specialist domestic violence courts. A further 400 have been trained since April this year.

A Good Practice Guide for CPS prosecutors and coordinators was provided for all CPS Areas based on the lessons and good practice from a two year domestic violence project in Gwent and Croydon.

  1. For further information contact CPS Press Office on 020 7710 6091.
  2. Domestic Violence Specialist Courts are operating in Southern Derbyshire; Cambs; Croydon; West London; Durham; Halton; Wirral; Salford; Wigan and Leigh; North East Hants; Devon; Plymouth; Bridgewater; Wolverhampton; North Staffs; South East Staffs; Leeds; Caerphilly; Cardiff; Neath and Port Talbot; Pontypridd.
  3. The CPS Domestic Violence project tested out different ways of improving domestic violence prosecutions in Caerphilly (Gwent) and Croydon. In Caerphilly a specialist team of an independent domestic violence lay adviser, a dedicated police officer and a dedicated CPS lawyer provided a coordinated response at the start of cases which were fast-tracked through the courts. In Croydon a specialist court system was set up with specific domestic violence court sessions twice a week.
  4. The domestic violence monitoring snapshot is available on this website in the Publications/Prosecution Policy and Guidance/Domestic Violence section.
  5. More information on the domestic violence project in Gwent and Croydon is available on this website in the Publications/Equality and Diversity Policy and Guidance section.