CPS News Centre

Criminal cases prosecuted by the CPS are in the news every day, along with a range of issues relating to our work – from violence against women and girls and hate crime, to support for victims and witnesses, statistics and speeches.

To ensure greater openness in the reporting of criminal proceedings, the CPS, the police and media representatives developed a joint protocol for working together. We are currently consulting on an updated joint protocol. For more details and to have your say, go here.

Here you can find our latest news stories and search for others. You can also find additional details about a number of high-profile cases and the work of the CPS.

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Media enquiries

National, international and specialist media should contact the main 24-hour press office.

Local media should contact their Area Communications Manager during normal working hours.

Three charged with making alleged ‘swatting’ calls in the USA and Canada

Three men from the UK have been charged with allegedly reporting fabricated serious incidents to prompt an emergency response in the USA and Canada.

30 April 2025 | Press Release , CPS News

Richard Burrows: Paedophile who fled to Thailand 27 years ago jailed for 97 offences

An 81-year-old child abuser who escaped justice by fleeing to Thailand in 1997 ahead of his trial has today been jailed for 46 years for a catalogue of horrific sex offences against 24 boys in his care from the late 60s to the mid-90s.

30 April 2025 | Press Release , Sexual offences , CPS News

Men who groomed and sexually exploited girls in Greater Manchester sentenced

Ten men have been sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court for grooming and sexually exploiting girls in Greater Manchester.

29 April 2025 | Press Release , Sexual offences , CPS, North West News

No charges for ice hockey player following the death of Adam Johnson

The Crown Prosecution Service has decided it will not bring criminal charges against a professional ice hockey player following the death of Adam Johnson during a match between The Sheffield Steelers and The Nottingham Panthers.

29 April 2025 | Press Release , CPS, Yorkshire and Humberside News

Four imprisoned for demolition industry corruption worth over £600,000

Four people have been found guilty (12 February 2025) of corruption within the demolition industry.

28 April 2025 | Press Release , Fraud and economic crime , CPS News

Detectorist who tried to sell Anglo-Saxon coins ordered to pay back over £100k

A metal detectorist who tried to sell rare Anglo-Saxon coins for a Saxon hoard has been ordered to pay back the £103,000 from the proceeds of his crimes.

28 April 2025 | Press Release , Proceeds of crime , CPS News

Former police officer sentenced for indecently assaulting child

A former police officer has been sentenced today after he was found guilty of indecently assaulting a teen girl more than 25 years ago.

Paul Harold, 47, was prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) following an investigation by Staffordshire Police.

28 April 2025 | Press Release , Sexual offences , CPS News

Merch yn ei harddegau wedi ei dedfrydu am ymgeisio i lofruddio mewn ysgol

Mae geneth 14 mlwydd oed a drywanodd ddwy athrawes a disgybl yn Ysgol Dyffryn Aman wedi ei dedfrydu yn Llys y Goron Abertawe heddiw.

28 April 2025 | Press Release , Violent crime , CPS, Cymru/Wales News

Teenage girl sentenced for attempted murder

A 14-year-old girl who stabbed two teachers and a pupil at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman has been sentenced for attempted murder at Swansea Crown Court today.

28 April 2025 | Press Release , Violent crime , CPS, Cymru/Wales News

Man jailed for life for the murder of Claire Chick in Plymouth

Claire was attacked on West Hoe Road, outside her home, on Wednesday 22 January 2025. She sustained multiple stabbing injuries and was pronounced dead at Derriford Hospital later that evening.

25 April 2025 | Press Release , Violent crime , CPS, South West News

Search CPS News

In-depth - a deeper look at high-profile cases and the work of the CPS

'You can trust me, I'm a police officer' couldn't be further from the truth
How 13 women's testimonies secured the fate of serial rapist David Carrick
How a criminal case works
From reporting to appeals - how a criminal case works, end-to-end.
How we make our decisions
How does the CPS make the decision to prosecute - or not?
Our criminal justice partners
We don't just work with the police - here's a look at our many partners within the criminal justice system.
Transforming our service to victims at the CPS
Being a victim of crime can be deeply traumatic, and for those who find themselves in the criminal justice system the process can feel overwhelming, unfamiliar, and incredibly challenging.

Articles and speeches

Read articles and speeches from the CPS on matters of relevance to the Criminal Justice System

Articles and Speeches

CPS Says

The CPS position on major issues in the news, our response to inaccuracies in media reports and our letters to the media.

CPS Says...

Contacts: National media

Please note that our Press Office is NOT able to deal with issues or queries from members of the public - these contact details are for accredited journalists ONLY. Do not call this number unless you a member of the press. For all general enquiries, please visit contact.cps.gov.uk.

If you are a national or international journalist with a media enquiry, you can contact the CPS Press Office on 020 3357 0906 or email [email protected] (9am-5pm weekdays only).

For out-of-hours media enquiries please call 020 3357 0906 to reach the duty press officer.

Contacts: Local media

Cymru/Wales
Richard Paull
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 02920 803950

East Midlands
Graham Buchanan
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0115 852 3343

East of England
Gillian Andrews
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01245 455027

London (North and South)
Wendy Wyeth or Molly Barker
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 02380 673873

Mersey-Cheshire
Jackie Rand
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0151 239 6334

North East
Chris Black
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0191 260 4216

North West
Kerry Bell
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0161 827 4705

South East
Cheryl Pendry
Email: [email protected]
Telephones: 01227 655862 / 07876 390054

South West
Gary Cockram
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0117 930 2968

Thames and Chiltern
Angie Patton
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01189 513625

Wessex
Wessex Communications
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 02380 673873

West Midlands
Kofo Baptist
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0203 357 0625

Yorkshire and Humberside
Elizabeth Ogborn
Email: [email protected]
Telephones: 0113 290 2839 / 07500 835186

Our social media policy

If you follow us on social media, you can expect posts covering some or all of the following:

Operational updates on decisions to prosecute or take no further action;
Reactions and statements on trial outcomes;
Policy updates from the Director of Public Prosecutions and other prosecutors;
Updates on media appearances by CPS staff
Content that explains the role of the CPS and how we work
Highlighting of relevant work by our criminal justice partners and other stakeholders

We will aim to be fair and accurate in all the information we publish. We will aim to correct any inaccuracies as soon as possible.

We are unable to monitor social media round the clock. We are not able to engage with all those who seek a response from us due to resources but also due to privacy and the sensitive nature of some of our work. The best way to contact the CPS is through our website.

Please do not try to report crime using social media. To report crime, please call 101 or visit your local police station. In an emergency, always call 999.

If you follow us on social media we will not automatically follow you back. Being followed by us does not imply endorsement of any kind.

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