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Graphic showing football pitch with text reading 'Fans face football banning orders in updated guidance'

CPS cracks down on football tragedy abuse

Fans are being warned they face being banned from football matches – and next year’s Men’s European Championships – if they commit tragedy-related abuse as prosecutors publish additional guidance 

Photo of three women and text underneath which reads 'Find out more about how we’re transforming the way we prosecute adult rape cases'

CPS rolls out national blueprint as next step to transform prosecution of adult rape cases

The Crown Prosecution Service is changing the way we handle adult rape prosecutions. Find out more about what we’re doing differently.

Banner image: Annual Report and Accounts 2022-2023

CPS Annual Report 2022-2023 published

We recently published our 2022-2023 Annual Report and Accounts, providing transparency on key facts and figures. You can read the report now to see how we have delivered against our priorities and made best use of public money.

Graphic showing victim in the witness box. Text reads: Victim's guide: What happens when a case comes to the CPS.

New: CPS guide for victims of crime

We're committed to securing justice for all victims of crime. Our new guide for victims explains what you can expect from the Criminal Justice System.

Graphic showing support worker. Text reads: A guide for victims of rape and serious sexual assault

Guide for victims of rape and serious sexual assault

If you’ve been a victim of rape or sexual assault, there is extra support available to help you through the criminal justice system. Our guide for victims of rape and sexual assault explains what your rights are and what happens when a case comes to the CPS.

Your local CPS

The CPS operates across England and Wales, with 14 regional teams prosecuting cases locally.

Each of these 14 CPS Areas is headed by a Chief Crown Prosecutor, and works closely with local police forces and other criminal justice partners.

Find out who’s who in your area, and read more about local cases.

Find out about your area

Cymru/Wales
East Midlands
East of England
London North
London South
Mersey-Cheshire
North East
North West
South East
South West
Thames and Chiltern
Wessex
West Midlands
Yorkshire and Humberside

The Crown Prosecution Service

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) prosecutes criminal cases that have been investigated by the police and other investigative organisations in England and Wales. The CPS is independent, and we make our decisions independently of the police and government.

Our duty is to make sure that the right person is prosecuted for the right offence, and to bring offenders to justice wherever possible.

The CPS:

  • decides which cases should be prosecuted; 
  • determines the appropriate charges in more serious or complex cases, and advises the police during the early stages of investigations; 
  • prepares cases and presents them at court; and 
  • provides information, assistance and support to victims and prosecution witnesses. 

Prosecutors must be fair, objective and independent. When deciding whether to prosecute a criminal case, our lawyers must follow the Code for Crown Prosecutors. This means that to charge someone with a criminal offence, prosecutors must be satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction, and that prosecuting is in the public interest.

Victims & witnesses

Being a victim or a witness to a crime is not easy, but with your help, we work hard to bring offenders to justice. Throughout the justice process we will support you and treat you with dignity.

From reporting the crime to passing sentence we explain:

  • what happens;
  • the role of the CPS and;
  • what you can expect from us.
Support for victims & witnesses

Crime info

We prosecute people for hundreds of different types of crime every year. This section gives an introduction to some of the categories of offending that we are asked about most often.

Prosecution guidance

This guidance assists our prosecutors when they are making decisions about cases. It is regularly updated to reflect changes in law and practice. 

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Latest News
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Max Hill KC, Director of Public Prosecutions, Speech to the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), 28 September 2023

Man who blackmailed children into sending him indecent images jailed

International and organised crime, Sexual offences

Former solicitor jailed for defrauding clients of almost £2m

Fraud and economic crime

Updated with sentence: PC and former officer jailed for misconduct in public office

CPS authorises charges against five people suspected of spying for Russia

Child sexual abuse victims urged to contact panel

Sexual offences

CPS authorises murder charge against police officer following death of Chris Kaba

Sara Sharif death – CPS authorises murder charge against father

Violent crime

Man pleads guilty to blackmailing children into sending him indecent images over social media

Sexual offences, International and organised crime