Introducing CPS Thames and Chiltern

Welcome to the website of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in Thames and Chiltern.

Our aim is to be a service that is confident and independent, efficient and effective, becoming truly world class.  Everything that we do aims to deliver justice for all and make our communities safer.

CPS Thames and Chiltern covers Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire, in common with our partner agencies within the Local Criminal Justice Board.

The aim of this website is to make the criminal justice system more open and accessible to the people it serves and I hope it provides you with the information you want about our work.

Baljit Ubhey OBE
Chief Crown Prosecutor, CPS Thames and Chiltern

Staff

Across the CPS Thames & Chiltern Area there are 412 CPS staff, comprising both legal and administrative grades (104 in Berkshire, 56 in Buckinghamshire, 72 in Oxfordshire, 68 in Bedfordshire and 112 in Hertfordshire).

Key personnel

Baljit Ubhey is the Chief Crown Prosecutor; Karen Sawitzki is the Area Business Manager; David Robinson and Richard Newcombe are both Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutors and Tim Riley is the Business Change and Delivery Manager.

Chief Crown Prosecutor

Baljit Ubhey - 0118 9513600

As Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP) for the Thames and Chiltern Area, Baljit Ubhey OBE is responsible for all prosecutions in Thames Valley, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Last year a total of 55,864 prosecutions took place between April 2010 and March 2011 across the Area.

Baljit says: 'The key objectives going forward for the Area are to deliver a high-quality service to the public in line with our Core Quality Standards (CQS) whilst focusing on the efficient agenda to make sure that we are using our resources in the best possible way. Our aim is to improve public confidence in the local communities that we serve.'

Area Business Manager

Karen Sawitzki - 0118 9513600

The Area Business Manager is a key visible leader, working in partnership with the Chief Crown Prosecutor delivering the Director of Public Prosecutions' vision. The role provides leadership and strategic direction internally and in working with key criminal justice partners, local communities and stakeholders to drive forward improvements in the local criminal justice system.

Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor (Operations)

Steve Chappell - 0118 9513600

 

 

 

 

 

 

As Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor (Operations) for Thames and Chiltern CPS, Steve Chappell is responsible for 14 teams of prosecutors, paralegals, administrators and managers across five counties. Each team specialises in one of a number of key functions; making charging decisions, undertaking Crown Court advocacy, the preparation and handling of Magistrates' court cases and the preparation and handling of Crown Court cases.

Steve says: 'I must ensure that all aspects of our case handling are delivered in accordance with our policies and that we achieve our key objectives.'

Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor (Thematic Projects)

Richard Newcombe - 01727 798700

As Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor (Thematic Projects) for Thames and Chiltern CPS, Richard Newcombe is responsible for the quality of advocacy, charging and efficiency in magistrates' courts across the Area.

Richard says: 'Improving CPS performance throughout my themes will be essential to delivering an improved prosecution service.'    

Senior District Crown Prosecutor

Helen Draycott - 01865 233400

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As Senior District Crown Prosecutor, Helen Draycott has responsibility for a number of thematics in which she will provide support to the Chief Crown Prosecutor - the three most important ones are; the violence against women portfolio; ensuring the Area delivers on the Service's core quality standards and compliance with the custody time limit regime.

Business Change and Delivery Manager

Tim Riley - 01296 414800

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tim Riley is an Area Business Change and Delivery Manager for CPS Thames & Chiltern. He will undertake a number of thematic roles on behalf of the Area with a business emphasis and will be responsible for driving continuous improvement and efficiency.

Number of police Basic Command Units in Thames and Chiltern Area

• Thames Valley 5 - Oxford, Reading, Slough, Aylesbury, Milton Keynes
• Bedfordshire 2 - Bedfordshire and Luton
• Hertfordshire 1.

Police Headquarters in Thames and Chiltern Area

• Thames Valley - Kidlington
• Hertfordshire - Welwyn Garden City
• Bedfordshire - Kempston.

Thames and Chiltern Area magistrates' courts

• Berkshire - Slough, Maidenhead, Reading, Bracknell and Newbury
• Buckinghamshire - Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Milton Keynes. 
• Oxfordshire - Banbury and Oxford City
• Hertfordshire - Stevenage, Hertford, St Albans, Watford and Hatfield Remand court. 
• Bedfordshire - Bedford and Luton.

Thames and Chiltern Area Crown Courts

• Reading, Oxford, Aylesbury (sitting at Amersham), St Albans and Luton