CPS Launches Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel in South Yorkshire
10/12/2007
CPS South Yorkshire are setting up a Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel together with CPS Humberside to look at hate crime cases which have been through the Criminal Justice System.
The Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel will look at homophobic cases, racially and religiously aggravated cases, and disability aggravated cases. The panel will consider both successful and unsuccessful prosecutions.
CPS are looking for people to join the panel who have experience of supporting or advising victims of hate crime.
Chief Crown Prosecutor Nigel Cowgill, speaking today said, 'This will be an excellent and rewarding opportunity for people to assist CPS to improve the way in which we prosecute these types of cases. I am really looking forward to working with the public of South Yorkshire to improve our approach.
'We are committed to improving the way in which we prosecute hate crimes to ensure that we meet the needs of the community. We hope that this will increase the reporting of hate crime and the number of successful prosecutions.
Nigel went on to say, 'It is essential that we have visible processes for dealing with these complex cases, and we hope that setting up panels will give the public confidence that we treat them seriously.'
End
Notes to editors:
- For further enquiries or interview requests please contact Andrea Marshall on 0114 2298621.