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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:

  • advising the police on cases for possible prosecution
  • reviewing cases submitted by the police
  • determining any charges in more serious or complex cases
  • preparing cases for court
  • presenting cases at court

Find out more about the role of the Crown Prosecution Service

Home » News Centre » Press Releases » NAO report praises CPS Equality and Diversity work

NAO report praises CPS Equality and Diversity work

10/12/2004

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has been hailed as exemplary in recognition of the public consultation of stakeholders which underpins its Public Policy Statement on Racist and Religious Crime.

In the National Audit Office's first ever report on diversity, Delivering Public Services to a Diverse Society , released today after a major survey of 131 government bodies, the initiative is one of four highlighted as an example of good practice.

It also states that as a result of the feedback received from stakeholders the final statement is written 'more from the perspective of the communities it aims to address, rather than from the perspective of the CPS itself'.

Earlier this year the CPS scooped the RaceActionNet Award for Organisational Excellence on Equality and Diversity recognising the ways in which the CPS opened up its policy to diverse communities and more recently was runner-up for the prestigious Guardian Public Service Award for Equality and Diversity.

Seamus Taylor, CPS Director of Equality and Diversity said:

"The CPS has made very considerable progress on equality and diversity in recent years. It is a testament to the progress made that the NAO highlight our work as best practice. It is also a great morale boost as we focus firmly on results."

  1. For media enquiries, interviews or pictures please contact CPS Press Office on 020 7796 8102
  2. 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.
  3. A copy of the policy statement and the guidance to prosecutors is available within the 'Publications' section of the CPS website at http://www.cps.gov.uk. 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.
  4. RaceActionNet is a network of agencies from all sectors tackling racist attacks.
  5. Delivering Public Services to a Diverse Society can be found at http://www.nao.org.uk. Hard copies can be obtained from The Stationery Office on 0845 702 3474.