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.
Her Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) has today (22 July) issued a report following their Inspection of the operation of CPS and Serious Fraud Office (SFO) Proceeds of Crime Divisions.
The CPS has been praised by HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) for its…
Prosecution data covering the first full year of the coronavirus pandemic has been published by the CPS today.
The statistics, which run from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021, show the CPS caseload is 50 per cent higher than its pre-pandemic levels at 165,157 - although this has reduced from…
We know that when victims have good emotional and practical support from our excellent ISVA partners, and close liaison with police and prosecutors, the criminal justice process becomes more manageable for them and justice outcomes improve. Currently there is a gap on setting out what best practice…
The findings of the CPS review for completed prosecutions in April under the Coronavirus Act and Health Protection Regulations – and a running total for all cases since March 2020 – are detailed in the table below.
Number of cases finalised (April 2021 and since March 2020)
No…
Opening
I’m always grateful to be given the opportunity to address you, and after the last year - the likes of which we have never experienced before - I am particularly pleased to be able to come to thank you for all you have done, and to look ahead together.
The CPS response to the pandemic…
The first ever CPS Economic Crime strategy sets out an ambitious plan to combat these offences which are estimated to cost billions each year.
The strategy, launched today (30 March 2021) at a round table meeting with Government departments, police and criminal justice partners, highlights that…
The findings of the CPS review for completed prosecutions in February under the Coronavirus Act and Health Protection Regulations are detailed in the table below.
Number of cases finalised (February)
Number incorrectly charged
Health Protection (Coronavirus,…
On 26 and 27 January, the Court of Appeal heard a judicial review launched by the End Violence Against Women (EVAW) coalition against the CPS. Their case was that a change to CPS rape and serious sexual offences guidance amounted to an illegal change of approach to prosecuting rapes, which has…
Today, Monday 15 March, Lord Burnett dismissed the application for Judicial Review from the End Violence Against Women (EVAW) coalition against the CPS.
In his full response to today’s judgment, the Director of Public Prosecutions Max Hill QC said:
“The devastating impact and the scale of…
Victims, witnesses and defendants have been promised actions to reduce delays in case progression and to support the timely delivery of justice.
The Crown Prosecution Service, National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing have published the National Case Progression Commitment,…
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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.
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.
