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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.

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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 91 - 100 of 136 results for crime type "Sexual offences" & area "CPS"

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Prosecutors’ international work helps convict child abusers around globe

A 59-year-old man who paid money to sexually exploit young children in South East Asia has today been sentenced to 19 years in jail, with an extended licence of six years due to the dangerousness of his offending. Ian Wynter, from Loughborough, paid a father in the Philippines seven times to…
Press Release International and organised crime Sexual offences CPS

CPS says: Victims of crime should not delay getting the therapeutic support they need

Being the victim of a sexual offence is undoubtedly one of the most traumatic experiences a person may face in their lifetime. Our message on this is clear - if therapy is needed to aid recovery, there are no circumstances where access should be delayed. We are fully aware of the fears about how…
CPS says Sexual offences CPS

National blueprint for prosecuting rape takes a step closer with refreshed joint work pledge

A blueprint for prosecuting rape and serious sexual offences has taken a significant step forward today - as new data reveals charge rates for rape have increased to 72.8%. Quarterly statistics from the Crown Prosecution Service also show rape referrals from forces increased by 10%. It comes as…
Press Release Sexual offences CPS

Charge rates show steady increase across all crime types as CPS publishes latest statistics

Today the CPS has published Q1 performance data which covers the three-month period from 1 April to 30 June 2022. Notable changes in the data from Q4 2021-22 to Q1 2022 – 23 include: Charge rates have increased across All Crime, Domestic Abuse, Hate Crime and Rape All-crime charge…
Press Release Sexual offences Domestic abuse Hate crime CPS

CPS Says: Our response to BBC documentary on rape

There is no doubt the case highlighted by BBC today is harrowing and we have offered an unreserved apology to the victim for the mistakes we made and the stress and trauma she has endured. We want to reassure victims of these devastating crimes that the CPS has made significant strides in recent…
CPS says Sexual offences CPS

CPS seeks public’s views on draft 'Deception as to Gender' legal guidance

A public consultation on updated legal guidance regarding deception as to gender in rape and serious sexual assault cases has been launched by the Crown Prosecution Service today. .The draft guidance reflects the case law on deception as to gender and whether it could affect consent and addresses…
Press Release Sexual offences CPS

CPS sets out the law on street-based sexual harassment

Street harassment such as cyber-flashing, upskirting or the exposure of genitals in a public place are crimes which can and will be prosecuted the CPS has stressed, as new legal guidance is published today. The prosecution guidance on public order offences has been updated to include for the…
Sexual offences CPS

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

Today the CPS has published the Q4 performance data which covers the three-month period from 1 January to 31 March 2022. Notable changes in the data from Q3 2021-22 to Q4 2021-22 include: a 2.6 per cent increase in the volume of police referrals across all crime types, from 49,719 in Q3 to…
Press Release Sexual offences CPS

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

Introduction Partnership working and relationships The opportunities that come from scrutiny Looking to the future Introduction Good morning, everyone. Thank you to Siobhan for setting the tone and thank you, of course, to Sarah, for speaking so honestly and so…
Speech Sexual offences CPS

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. Notable changes in the data from Q2 2021-22 to Q3 2021 – 22 include: A 3.2% increase in police referrals across all crime types, from 48,178 to 49,719 A 23.7 per…
Press Release Sexual offences 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

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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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