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Prosecutors launch regional website

01/02/2010

The West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Group has today unveiled a new website which will enable the public to gain access to resources that will explain the role and successes of the CPS and the Criminal Justice System in the region.

Harry Ireland, Chief Crown Prosecutor for West Midlands CPS and Group Chair, said:

"The creation of this website is part of our ongoing commitment to become more open and transparent with our decision making processes as well as championing our achievements.

"We hope that the general public will use this online resource as a one-stop-shop to easily access information on the role of the CPS as well as contacting us, as their views and concerns about us are vital if we are to improve our services to the local communities that we serve."

We welcome your visit to www.cps.gov.uk/westmidlands

-Ends-

Notes to Editors

1. The West Midlands CPS Group consists of four prosecutions areas -Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Mercia and West Midlands.

2. The DPP has published his long term vision for the prosecution service and its role within the wider criminal justice system. It includes modernising the service and increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of criminal justice - read "The Public Prosecution Service: Setting the Standard" at www.cps.gov.uk/pps

3. The CPS consists of 42 Areas in total, each headed by a Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP). These are organised into 14 Groups, plus CPS London, each overseen by Group Chair, a senior CCP. In addition there are four specialised national divisions: Organised Crime, Special Crime, Counter-Terrorism and the Fraud Prosecution Service. A telephone service, CPS Direct, provides out-of-hours advice and decisions to police officers across England and Wales. The CPS employs around 8,250 people and prosecuted 1,032,598 cases with an overall conviction rate of 86.6% in 2008-2009. Further information can be found on our website: www.cps.gov.uk

4. The CPS, together with ACPO and media representatives, has developed a Protocol for the release of prosecution material to the media.  This sets out the type of prosecution material that will normally be released, or considered for release, together with the factors we will take into account when considering requests.  The Protocol is published on our website at: http://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/agencies/mediaprotocol.html

5. For further information, please contact Vinny Bolina, CPS West Midlands Group Communications Manager on 0121 262 1531 or 07753 895 240.