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.

First prison sentences for those involved in Southport unrest

The first prison sentence for an offender who caused panic and chaos on the streets of Southport last week has been handed down today – showing the stark consequences for those involved in disorder.

07 August 2024 | Press Release , Violent crime , CPS, Mersey-Cheshire News

Bolton man pleads guilty to possession of a hammer in town centre

A man has admitted being in possession of a hammer and a small amount of cannabis following widespread disorder in Bolton in recent days.

06 August 2024 | Press Release , CPS, North West News

Man jailed for damaging two police cars during disorder in Bolton

A Bolton man has been jailed for two months for causing damage to two police cars following widespread disorder in Bolton in recent days.

06 August 2024 | Press Release , CPS, North West News

Thug who hurled missiles at police officers convicted of violent disorder

A thug has pleaded guilty to violent disorder following widespread unrest in Hull in recent days.

06 August 2024 | Press Release , Violent crime , CPS, Yorkshire and Humberside News

Man convicted of intending to stir up racial hatred after posting online

A man who posted messages on Facebook about attacking a hotel where asylum seekers were housed has been convicted of using threatening words or behaviour to stir up racial hatred.

06 August 2024 | Press Release , Hate crime , CPS News

Young people face potentially life-long consequences of being involved in disorder, DPP warns

The Crown Prosecution Service has been at the heart of the law enforcement response to the appalling outbreaks of violence and disorder across the country.

05 August 2024 | Press Release , Violent crime , CPS News

Far-right extremist jailed for running racist websites used by international terrorists

A man who operated two websites that spread far-right propaganda and encouraged terrorism has been jailed.

Colin McNeil, 46, ran the online sites which featured racist documents, images and videos glorifying Hitler, the Nazis and prominent Neo-Nazis.

02 August 2024 | Press Release , Terrorism , CPS News

Gang member extradited from Portugal jailed 11 years for Class A drug offences

A leader behind an organised crime group (OCG), which trafficked heroin and cocaine into England and Scotland, has been jailed following his extradition from Portugal.

02 August 2024 | Press Release , International and organised crime , CPS News

Former National Crime Agency officer jailed over indecent images of children

A former National Crime Agency (NCA) officer who used his work device to access, view and download indecent images of children, and child sexual abuse material, has today been jailed.

02 August 2024 | Press Release , Sexual offences , CPS News

CPS statement: Convictions of Anjem Choudary and Khaled Hussein

Following a six-week trial at Woolwich Crown Court, Anjem Choudary, 57, was found guilty of directing a terrorist organisation, membership of a proscribed organisation and encouraging support for a terrorist organisation on 23 July.

31 July 2024 | Press Release , Terrorism , 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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