Who we are

CPS South West covers three police constabulary Areas: Avon and Somerset; Devon and Cornwall; and Gloucestershire.

The Area is led by Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP) Barry Hughes who takes ultimate responsibility for the criminal cases prosecuted by the CPS. Barry is supported by Deputy CCPs Victoria Cook and Tracy Easton who each manage a team of District Crown Prosecutors (DCPs).

CPS Prosecutors follow the Code for Crown Prosecutors, a public document issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions, setting out the general principles they should follow when they make decisions on cases.

The two main considerations for Crown Prosecutors are to ensure there is a public interest to prosecute and that there is sufficient evidence likely to lead to a conviction at court.

Each year we handle in excess of 5,500 cases in the six Crown Courts across the South West and around 46,000 Magistrates' Court cases in 17 courts.