CPS News Centre

Criminal cases that the Crown Prosecution Service take to court are in the news every day. This section also covers many issues related to our work, including violence against women and girls, hate crime, support for victims and witnesses, statistics, and speeches by the Director of Public Prosecutions and other senior staff.

Latest news

You can find our latest news stories here and search for older stories. You can also find more information about high-profile cases and the work of the CPS.

Working with the media

To make criminal court reporting more open, the CPS, police, and media representatives created a joint protocol (agreement) for working together. We are currently working on an updated version of the protocol. 

Showing 601 - 610 of 697 results for area "CPS"

CPS praised for innovative response to coronavirus pandemic
The CPS has been praised for its response to the coronavirus pandemic in a report published today. Her Majesty’s CPS Inspectorate (HMCPSI) commends the organisation’s digital capability and strategic planning, noting how the pandemic has “acted as a catalyst for innovation, leading to…
Press Release CPS
Update: CPS case redefines the legal test for ‘dishonesty’ in criminal law
A CPS case about a dishonest care home owner who defrauded wealthy residents of more than £4m has clarified the definition of dishonesty in criminal law. David Barton was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court for 17 years following a year-long trial and appeal. The jury heard evidence of a sustained…
Press Release Fraud and economic crime CPS
Joint National Police Chiefs' Council, CPS and College of Policing statement in response to the report from the Information Commissioner's Office
“Police investigators must balance the need to follow all reasonable lines of enquiry, guaranteeing a fair trial, with the need to respect privacy. We thank the Information Commissioner for this detailed and thoughtful report which acknowledges the complexity of this issue, and the growing volumes…
Press Release CPS
CPS review finds improvements in coronavirus charging compliance
A CPS review of completed prosecutions under coronavirus laws last month has found the legislation was correctly applied in almost 85 per cent of cases. Out of 93 prosecutions finalised under the Coronavirus Act and Health Protection Regulations in May, 76 were charged correctly. All but one of…
Press Release CPS
New prosecutors charge cases from home in their first weeks after joining CPS
More than 100 lawyers have been offered roles at the Crown Prosecution Service since March after digital technology was deployed to overcome challenges posed by the COVID-19 lockdown. New starters have already begun to offer online charging advice to police forces, after completing a virtual…
Press Release CPS
CPS West Midlands: Successful COVID-19 prosecutions – March to May 2020
CPS West Midlands Magistrates’ Court unit successfully prosecuted 78 COVID-19-related cases over the past three months including incidents of emergency workers and key workers being assaulted, threatened, coughed at and spat on by people claiming to have COVID-19. Here are just a few of the…
CPS West Midlands
313 prosecutions for assaults on emergency workers completed in first month of lockdown
More than 300 prosecutions for assaults on emergency workers were completed in the first month of lockdown, CPS data reveals. The 313 attacks followed a typical pattern of police officers and other emergency workers being coughed at and spat on by members of the public claiming to have the virus…
Press Release Violent crime CPS
CPS announces review findings for first 200 cases under coronavirus laws
Prosecutors have reviewed more than 200 finalised cases under the coronavirus legislation up to the end of April, with any incorrect charges withdrawn and overturned. The CPS has committed to reviewing all prosecutions brought under the Coronavirus Act and Health Protection Regulations to make…
Press Release CPS
CPS Says: Stalking offences under coronavirus lockdown
There has been some discussion about how stalking cases are investigated and prosecuted during the current lockdown. The CPS would like to clarify our approach. We share the concern that victims of stalking must feel supported during lockdown. CPS takes stalking extremely seriously, and we…
CPS says CPS
Prosecutors to prioritise serious cases to manage impact of coronavirus pandemic
PROSECUTORS are being asked to prioritise more serious cases and consider the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic when weighing up whether criminal charges are in the public interest, in order to help the justice system continue effectively in the face of current challenges. Although…
Press Release CPS

Press Office contact details

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.

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The Crown Prosecution Service on social media

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.

Media protocol

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 in the process of updating the protocol.

Read the current protocol

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