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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

Prosecuting Violent Crime

Violent crime covers a wide range of offences including:

These crimes are extremely rare, they account for only about 1% of all crime. Yet they cause significant harm, both to individual victims and their families in terms of physical injury and psychological trauma, and to society more widely in terms of fear. We are committed to prosecuting violent crimes efficiently and effectively.

Home » News Centre » Press Releases » CPS to work more closely with NHS over assaults on staff

CPS to work more closely with NHS over assaults on staff

01/11/2006

The Crown Prosecution Service has committed itself to working with the National Health Service's Security Management Service (SMS) to tackle violence against NHS staff.

In a speech at the SMS' first conference, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ken Macdonald, QC, said that a co-ordinated approach between the police, CPS and SMS was needed to tackle the assaults and anti-social behaviour suffered by NHS staff.

Mr Macdonald said: "Everyone has the right to go about their work free from the sort of assaults and anti-social behaviour which, unhappily, are all too often inflicted on NHS staff.

"The police have worked with the SMS and signed an agreement which covers the prevention, detection and investigation of cases of violence and abuse of NHS staff. The CPS is now completing the circle with an agreement which addresses the prosecution of those cases."

A Memorandum of Understanding signed by the CPS and the SMS outlines how the two organisations will work more closely in the future. Its key objectives are:

  • To improve the protection of NHS staff;
  • To strengthen the prosecution process by improving the quality of information exchanged;
  • To issue a clear statement of prosecution policy to engender confidence amongst NHS staff.

There was a strong public interest, said Mr Macdonald, in prosecuting cases of violence against those serving the public - which includes NHS staff.

He said: "It is clearly in the public interest to prosecute those who endanger NHS staff so long as there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction. If staff are effectively prevented from doing their job, there is a greater risk that the sick and injured will not receive the treatment they require.

"Prosecution is part of the overall strategy for combating crime against NHS staff. The CPS will work with the police to encourage priority action for violence and aggression on NHS staff and will apply a robust charging policy."

The agreement with the SMS will be circulated to all 42 Chief Crown Prosecutors in England and Wales. They will be advised to develop local arrangements to reflect this agreement and to establish and maintain local liaison to improve the CPS' joint response to incidents of violence on NHS staff.

  1. The SMS conference took place on November 1 2006.
  2. For further details contact CPS Press Office on 020 7796 8180.