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 have created an agreement: the Media Protocol: Working together to support open justice.

Showing 591 - 600 of 693 results for area "CPS"

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CPS launches guidance on sexual violence within LGBT communities

The CPS today publishes new guidance to assist prosecutors considering cases of sexual violence within LGBT communities. The same-sex stereotypes guidance addresses the specific issues that arise in relation to abuse involving gay, bisexual and transgender complainants and suspects. Drawn up…
Press Release Sexual offences CPS

CPS announces five year blueprint for prosecution of rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO)

An ambitious package of measures to make sure offenders of sexual violence are brought to justice and victims of these devastating crimes are properly supported has been published by the CPS today. The five-year blueprint, named RASSO 2025, will help CPS to understand and reduce the gap between…
Press Release Sexual offences CPS

CPS statement: Death of Christopher Kapessa

Jenny Hopkins, who oversees the Appeals and Review Unit within the CPS, said: “Christopher Kapessa’s death was an awful tragedy and on behalf of the CPS I want to offer our deepest condolences to his family. “Each case is different and the CPS's role is to make independent and impartial…
Press Release CPS

CPS warns - don't get caught by COVID fraud

The Crown Prosecution Service has warned the public to beware of fraudsters exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic after a man was today jailed for 30 weeks for offering fake Government refunds. Mohammed Khan, 20, sent more than one thousand texts claiming to be from the authorities offering refunds…
Press Release Fraud and economic crime CPS London South

DPP Speech to the Bar Council – 14 July 2020

Introduction Hello and thank you for having me. Firstly I’d like to offer my apologies that I am not able to attend every meeting of the Bar Council, but rest assured I do appreciate the Bar Council and our CPS representatives attend keep me updated. It’s perhaps an understatement to say that…
Speech CPS

Latest findings for CPS coronavirus review

The CPS review of prosecutions completed in June under the Coronavirus Act and Health Protection Regulations found 99 out of 141 were charged correctly. Prosecutors withdrew all but one of the 42 erroneous charges at the first court appearance. Of the cases reviewed, 137 were charged by the…
Press Release 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

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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Learn more about the CPS and read more of our stories on our blog.

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