Disabled victims of hate crime receiving improved service from prosecutors - report

A network of prosecutors dedicated to tackling hate crime has helped the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) improve the experience of disabled victims, an inspection report has found.

The way in which CPS area hate crime co-ordinators review the handling of cases and pass on improvements to colleagues were praised by Her Majesty’s Crown Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI).

The HMCPSI report said the quality of CPS decision-making in disability hate crime cases was ‘excellent’ and that the way CPS lawyers apply the Code for Crown Prosecutors is a ‘strength’.

The CPS hate crime co-ordinators were also praised for their engagement with the community via scrutiny panels along with their efforts to make sure tougher sentences are passed where evidence of hostility is proven.

Chris Long, Chief Crown Prosecutor and CPS Hate Crime champion, said: “Hate crime can have a devastating impact on those on the receiving end, as well as the wider community, which is why the CPS is dedicated to prosecuting incidents robustly.

“I am pleased this report highlights the hard work and dedication of our hate-crime co-ordinators who work very hard with communities to make sure we keep improving our performance.

“As the report shows, our co-ordinators scrutinise cases of disability hate crime and share learning across the CPS to highlight examples of best practice.”