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.

The CPS pay award

There has been some media coverage and social media comment about the CPS pay award.

13 March 2019 | CPS says , CPS News

New guidance for prosecutors on mental health conditions and disorders

The revised guidance is designed to assist decision making throughout the life of a criminal case, from the initial decision to prosecute, through fitness to plead to sentencing.

12 March 2019 |

International Women's Day 2019

Max Hill QC: "I’m extremely proud of the valuable contribution CPS staff make all year round but as part of International Women’s Day, it is right we celebrate the achievements of our female staff.

08 March 2019 | Article , CPS News

DPP's Speech to the Forensic Science Regulator’s Annual Conference

Good morning. Thank you, Gill, for inviting me here today, and thank you for the contribution that you and your staff are making to improve the quality of forensic science in the criminal justice system; your work is so important, and I am very pleased to have the opportunity to speak to you all.

05 March 2019 | Speech , CPS News

Independent report welcomes work of CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division

The Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division (SCCTD) of the CPS has been recognised today (5 February) in an independent inspection report for its strong leadership and governance.

05 February 2019 | Press Release , CPS News

HMCPSI finds that International Justice and Organised Crime Division continuously delivers its work to a high standard despite challenging casework

The International Justice and Organised Crime Division has engaged staff, a visible and proactive senior management team, and is held in high regard by internal and external stakeholders, according to a report published today by Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI). The inspection did not look at casework quality.

29 January 2019 | Press Release , International and organised crime , CPS News

Fighting for justice: Go behind the scenes at the CPS

How the CPS brings criminals to justice is the subject of a series of documentaries which will be repeated on BBC Two later this month.

25 January 2019 | Press Release , CPS News

Letter to the Mail on Sunday on conditional cautions in domestic abuse cases from Max Hill QC, DPP

Very strict conditions underpin the use of conditional cautions in domestic abuse cases but the CPS is clear – this is not about letting offenders off the hook (Theresa May's local police force lets off wife beaters with a caution despite PM's pledge to get tough on domestic violence, Sunday 20 January).

24 January 2019 | CPS says , Domestic abuse , CPS News

Letter to the Sunday Telegraph from Sue Hemming, Director of Legal Services, on personal data and how it is used in criminal investigations

The way personal data is used in criminal investigations is an issue of growing significance.

20 January 2019 | CPS says , CPS News

Max Hill QC, Director of Public Prosecutions, Speech to the Bar Council - 12 January 2019

Thank you for inviting me to speak to you today. It is a real pleasure to come here this morning at my friend Richard’s first full Bar Council of his year in the Chair. I want to start by wishing him well throughout his time, and then the same for my friend Amanda who will make another fine Chair of this Council for 2020. You are in the best of hands.

12 January 2019 | Speech , 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 [email protected] (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: [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

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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