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.

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.

A man who paid for children to be sexually abused online has been jailed for three years

A man who paid money to have children perform sexual acts, has today been jailed.

Graeme Wilson, 68, made transactions through a number of money service bureaus to pay adults for live streamed footage of child sexual abuse.

05 July 2022 | Press Release , Sexual offences , CPS News

Max Hill QC's opening speech to the joint CPS/NPCC conference on Rape and Serious Sexual Offences

I must start by saying thank you to you all. Thank you for your commitment and your really dedicated work to tackle these dreadful crimes. I am very grateful to you all, without exception.

15 June 2022 | Speech , Sexual offences , CPS News

CPS authorises indecent assault charges against Harvey Weinstein

Rosemary Ainslie, Head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said: “The CPS has authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Harvey Weinstein with two counts of indecent assault against a woman in August 1996.

08 June 2022 | Press Release , Sexual offences , CPS News

CPS authorises sexual assault charges against Kevin Spacey

Rosemary Ainslie, Head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said: “The CPS has authorised criminal charges against Kevin Spacey, 62, for four counts of sexual assault against three men.

26 May 2022 | Press Release , Sexual offences , CPS News

UPDATED WITH SENTENCE: Martial arts couple convicted of child sexual offences

A martial arts instructor and his actress wife have been convicted of a number of non-recent child sexual offences.

16 May 2022 | Press Release , Sexual offences , CPS, East Midlands News

David Carrick: CPS authorises three further charges

The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Hertfordshire Constabulary to charge Metropolitan Police officer David Carrick with three additional offences.

09 May 2022 | Press Release , Sexual offences , CPS News

CPS publishes latest statistics on all crime types showing steady increase in rape convictions

Today the CPS has published the Q3 Performance data which covers the three-month period from 1 October to 31 December 2021.

21 April 2022 | Press Release , Sexual offences , CPS News

Safety messages go mobile on Nottingham’s consent themed bus

Messages about safety for women and girls will be going mobile through the streets of Nottingham as new branded transport has taken to the roads.

23 March 2022 | Press Release , Sexual offences , CPS News

CPS Says: CPS and NPCC respond toThe Criminal Justice Joint Inspection (CJJI) of how well the criminal justice system serves survivors of rape

Max Hill QC, Director of Public Prosecutions said: “We know victims of sexual offences can suffer lasting trauma, and too often their experience of the criminal justice system adds to their suffering. The CPS is committed to making the changes needed so that more victims see justice.

25 February 2022 | CPS says , Sexual offences , CPS News

CPS publishes interim fundamental principles on victims accessing pre-trial therapy

Victims should prioritise their well-being and not delay receiving therapy for any reason connected with a police investigation or prosecution the CPS has said.

23 February 2022 | Press Release , Sexual offences , CPS 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 call the General Enquiries line: 020 3357 0899 or 020 3357 0000 (09:00-17:00, Monday-Friday) or 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 cps.pressoffice@cps.gov.uk (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: richard.paull@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 02920 803950

East Midlands
Graham Buchanan
Email: Graham.Buchanan@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 0115 852 3343

East of England
Gillian Andrews
Email: gillian.andrews@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 01245 455027

London (North and South)
Wendy Wyeth or Molly Barker
Email: london.communications@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 02380 673873

Mersey-Cheshire
Jackie Rand
Email: jackie.rand@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 0151 239 6334

North East
Chris Black
Email: chris.black@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 0191 260 4216

North West
Kerry Bell
Email: kerry.bell@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 0161 827 4705

South East
Cheryl Pendry
Email: cheryl.pendry@cps.gov.uk
Telephones: 01227 655862 / 07876 390054

South West
Gary Cockram
Email: gary.cockram@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 0117 930 2968

Thames and Chiltern
Angie Patton
Email: Angie.Patton@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 01189 513625

Wessex
Wessex Communications
Email: wessex.communications@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 02380 673873

West Midlands
Kofo Baptist
Email: kofo.baptist@cps.gov.uk
Telephone: 0203 357 0625

Yorkshire and Humberside
Elizabeth Ogborn
Email: elizabeth.ogborn@cps.gov.uk
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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