Government Inspectors give 'Fair' rating to the performance of CPS West Yorkshire

19/03/2008

CPS West Yorkshire welcomes the CPSI report, which highlights the Area's strengths in leadership, managing change, handling its more serious and sensitive cases and engaging with the community.

It is pleased that improved performance in respect of Crown Court cases has been recognised, as has the Area's significant success in the development of its own Crown Court advocates.

The Area is pleased that the Chief Inspector has noted the progress made in the provision of pre-charge advice to the Police since March 2007.  The Area's current performance is amongst the best in CPS.

The Area has already put in place robust measures to address those aspects, which concerned the Inspectorate, such as disclosure and direct communications with victims, where again, current performance shows significant improvement.

Neil Franklin, Chief Crown Prosecutor states,

"The report provides a fair assessment of the Areas strengths and outstanding challenges and, most encouragingly, expresses full confidence in its ability to address identified issues of concern and continue to deliver a high quality service to the people of West Yorkshire.

"I share this confidence as CPS West Yorkshire is blessed with many very able and dedicated staff who share my determination to make continuous improvement in all we do."

Ends

Notes to editors

1. References to sensitive cases include all cases involving hate crime (disability hate crime, domestic violence, homophobic, racist and religious crime), child abuse / child witnesses, rape, fatal road traffic offences and anti social behaviour orders (ASBOs)

2. Overall Performance Assessment (OPA) provides a benchmark for each CPS Areas performance in thirteen key aspects of work. Each of the aspects is being assessed as being excellent, good, fair, or poor and the overall performance is determined from this.

3. Some aspects are categorized as critical, and these aspects are weighed differently to the others in determining overall performance.

4. The last CPS West Yorkshire overall performance inspection was carried out in November 2005.

5. Half hour interview slots are being offered with Neil Franklin CCP, on a first come first served basis between 09.30 and 16.30. Interview requests should be directed to Cheryl Ford, Area Communications Manager on 0113 290 2839.