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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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Latest news
Showing 1 - 10 of 11 results for crime type "Violent crime" & area "South West"

Five convicted of the murders of Bristol teenagers Mason Rist and Max Dixon

Five people, including four youths who cannot be named because of their ages, have been convicted at Bristol Crown Court of the murders of teenagers Mason Rist and Max Dixon, who were attacked and killed on the Knowle area of the city in January 2024.

| Press Release , Violent crime , CPS, South West News

UPDATE: Private school pupil given life sentence for hammer attack

A private school pupil who left two of his housemates with life-changing injuries after a violent hammer attack has been given a life sentence for their attempted murder.

| Press Release , Violent crime , CPS, South West News

Thugs charged, convicted and jailed within 72 hours

The first sentences have been handed down in the South West for offenders involved in the violent disorder and looting in Plymouth City Centre on Monday.

| Press Release , Violent crime , CPS, South West News

Murder of Lorna England, man found guilty

A man from Exmouth has been convicted of the murder of Lorna England, who was stabbed to death as she walked home through Ludwell Valley Park in Exeter.

| Press Release , Violent crime , CPS, South West News

Boy, 14, charged with murder following deaths of Max Dixon and Mason Rist

Victoria Cook, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS South West, said: “CPS South West’s Complex Casework Unit has today authorised two murder charges against a 14-year-old boy following the deaths of 16-year-old Max Dixon and 15-year-old Mason Rist.

| Press Release , Violent crime , CPS, South West News

Further murder charges authorised by CPS following deaths of Bristol teenagers

Victoria Cook, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS South West, said: “Prosecutors from CPS South West’s Complex Casework Unit have authorised two murder charges against a 17-year-old boy following the deaths of 16-year-old Max Dixon and 15-year-old Mason Rist.

| Press Release , Violent crime , South West News

UPDATED: CPS authorises charges against four further suspects following Bristol stabbings

The Crown Prosecution Service today authorised Avon & Somerset Police to charge four more suspects in connection with the murders of 15-year-old Mason Rist and 16-year-old Max Dixon.

| Press Release , Violent crime , CPS, South West News

UPDATED WITH SENTENCE: Violent abuser who murdered ex-partner and disposed of her body is convicted

An abusive boyfriend who murdered his former partner and disposed of her body more than a decade ago has sentenced.

| Press Release , Violent crime , CPS, South West News

Firearms fanatic who built a personal armoury of weapons and explosives convicted

A gun-obsessed extremist who planned to replicate infamous mass shootings and built his own personal armoury of homemade weapons and explosives to carry out an attack has been convicted.

| Press Release , Violent crime , CPS, South West News

Youth sentenced for bringing knife to school and stabbing teacher

A youth has been sentenced after he brought a knife to a school and stabbed a teacher in the stomach.

| Press Release , Violent crime, Youth crime , South West News

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CPS Says

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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 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.

Follow us on X: @cpsuk, Instagram: @crownprosecutors and LinkedIn.

Contacts: Local media

Cymru/Wales
Richard Paull
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 02920 803950

East Midlands
Graham Buchanan
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0115 852 3343

East of England
Gillian Andrews
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01245 455027

London (North and South)
Wendy Wyeth or Molly Barker
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 02380 673873

Mersey-Cheshire
Jackie Rand
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0151 239 6334

North East
Chris Black
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0191 260 4216

North West
Kerry Bell
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0161 827 4705

South East
Cheryl Pendry
Email: [email protected]
Telephones: 01227 655862 / 07876 390054

South West
Gary Cockram
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0117 930 2968

Thames and Chiltern
Angie Patton
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01189 513625

Wessex
Wessex Communications
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 02380 673873

West Midlands
Kofo Baptist
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0203 357 0625

Yorkshire and Humberside
Elizabeth Ogborn
Email: [email protected]
Telephones: 0113 290 2839 / 07500 835186

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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;
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  • Policy updates from the Director of Public Prosecutions and other prosecutors;
  • Updates on media appearances by CPS staff
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  • 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.

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