Merger of RCPO and the CPS

The merger of the CPS and RCPO, announced by the Attorney General in April 2009, was brought into effect on 1 January when the Attorney General appointed Keir Starmer QC, Director of Public Prosecutions, to the statutory post of Director of Revenue and Customs Prosecutions.

The merger combines the strengths of the two organisations to create an even stronger, more responsive, flexible and resilient public prosecution service for the future.

As part of the merger, David Green QC is leading a new Revenue and Customs Division within the merged organisation, with staff in London and Manchester, that is providing specialist prosecution services to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs on direct and indirect tax fraud; evasion of the duty paid on tobacco, alcohol and oils; illegal arms trafficking, export controls and sanctions violations; and related money laundering.

Other changes from the merger include an enhanced and enlarged Organised Crime Division, which now includes a team supporting the prosecution of all crimes investigated by the Serious and Organised Crime Agency, a further team dealing with offences investigated by the new UK Borders Agency; and a Proceeds of Crime Unit that combines RCPO and CPS expertise, providing a much stronger asset recovery arm for the merged organisation.

Currently, the Revenue and Customs Division is based at RCPO's former offices in New King's Beam House, Southwark. By summer 2010, they will join CPS staff currently based in Ludgate Hill, London, in a new office at Rose Court, Southwark. At the same time, Revenue and Customs Division staff in Manchester will move to the existing CPS office in Sunlight House, Manchester.

Find out more about the Revenue and Customs Division and residual information about RCPO