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.

Junior doctor jailed for running a dark web site which shared indecent images of children

A NHS junior doctor who worked with elderly patients has today been jailed for his role in a dark web chat site dedicated to sharing indecent images of children.

23 June 2023 | Press Release , Sexual offences , CPS News

CPS authorises sexual offence charges against Michael Lockwood

Rosemary Ainslie, Head of the Special Crime Division at the CPS, said: “After carefully considering all of the evidence provided to us by Humberside Police, we have authorised charges against Michael Lockwood, 64, for nine offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956.

16 June 2023 | Press Release , Sexual offences , CPS News

Final four defendants jailed for their part in the largest child sexual abuse prosecution in the West Midlands

Today (2 June 2023) four people have been jailed for their part in the the largest child sexual abuse investigation and prosecution in the West Midlands. Nineteen people have now been convicted of serious sexual offending against children in the Walsall area.

02 June 2023 | Press Release , Sexual offences , CPS News

Former police officer pleads guilty to sexually abusing girls as young as 12 online

A former South Wales police officer has pleaded guilty to more than 100 charges of inciting children to engage in sexual activity and forcing victims as young as 12 to make indecent images online.

30 May 2023 | Press Release , Sexual offences , CPS News

Former government minister jailed for making and distributing indecent images of children

An ex-Government minister and former MP has been jailed for making and distributing indecent images of children.

12 May 2023 | Press Release , Sexual offences , CPS News

Update: Barrow woman jailed for making false rape allegations

A woman has been jailed for perverting the course of justice after maliciously making multiple false allegations of sexual abuse, violence and rape against men over a period of many years.

14 March 2023 | Press Release , Sexual offences , CPS, North West News

Victims Summit 2023 - speech by Max Hill KC, Director of Public Prosecutions

Victims deserve, and rightly expect, to be supported, informed and treated fairly. Being a victim of crime can be deeply traumatic and we do not underestimate the courage of victims.

10 March 2023 | Speech , Sexual offences , CPS News

Wayne Couzens sentenced for sexual offences

Wayne Couzens has been sentenced to 19 months' imprisonment after pleading guilty to three offences of exposure.

06 March 2023 | Press Release , Sexual offences , CPS News

Reality TV star Stephen Bear jailed for posting 'revenge porn'

Reality TV star Stephen Bear has been sentenced today for voyeurism and two counts of "revenge porn".

03 March 2023 | Press Release , Sexual offences , CPS, East of England News

CPS statement following the sentencing of David Carrick

Speaking after the sentencing of David Carrick today, Peter Burt, Head of the Complex Casework Unit, said:

07 February 2023 | Press Release , Sexual offences , 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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