CPS response to HMCPSI report into CPS and SFO Proceeds of Crime Divisions

Her Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) has today (22 July) issued a report following their Inspection of the operation of CPS and Serious Fraud Office (SFO) Proceeds of Crime Divisions.

The CPS has been praised by HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) for its work to recover the proceeds of crime, with cases “handled proactively and efficiently by dedicated and skilled staff.”

The overall aims of the report are to examine how effective and efficient both CPS Proceeds of Crime Division and SFO Proceeds of Crime and International Assistance Division are in identifying and progressing restraint and confiscation casework.

Adrian Foster, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS Proceeds of Crime Division, said: “The CPS adopts a robust, targeted approach to recovering the proceeds of crime, depriving criminals of their ill-gotten gains and seeking compensation for victims where possible. Over £100m in criminal assets was recovered in respect of CPS prosecutions in 2019/20.

“We are pleased that the inspectorate report commends the work of the CPS Proceeds of Crime Division during the challenging pandemic period. The criminal justice system remains open and the CPS has carried on its important work uninterrupted throughout the pandemic.

“We continue to help deliver justice at a difficult time and within the constraints placed upon the entire criminal justice system and are working as hard as ever on confiscation cases.

“The CPS will consider very carefully the recommendations in this report and respond to them in a timely manner.”

Lisa Osofsky, Director of the SFO, said: “Our mission at the Serious Fraud Office is to fight complex financial crime, deliver justice for victims and protect the UK’s reputation as a safe place to do business. We achieve this by prosecuting criminals but also making sure there is no safe haven for their illicit gains, in the UK or abroad. This work starts at the beginning of each criminal investigation.

“I am pleased that the inspectors have highlighted the skill and dedication of our team, and we will work with partners at the CPS to take their helpful suggestions into consideration.”

In 2019-20 the CPS recovered over £100 million, stopping hundreds of criminals benefitting from their ill-gotten gains.