Information
Joint case building by the police and Crown Prosecution Service: final report
His Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services carried out a joint thematic inspection of the building of prosecution cases by the police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
In January 2024, they published their interim findings report after phase 1 of the inspection. It identified a number of high-level themes. They highlighted areas of concern that have an adverse impact on the relationship between the CPS and police.
In the final report, they explore these themes in more detail with the benefit of evidence obtained from our further inspection activity. A copy of the report can be downloaded here.
PFCC Response
The Police, Crime and Fire Commissioner has received this report in relation to joint file and case building between police forces and the Crown Prosecution Service. The Commissioner recognises the importance of this subject and the need to make sure that these matters are subject to ongoing scrutiny, as they have a significant impact and affect the effectiveness of the wider criminal justice system, and trust and confidence in criminal justice partners. It is also of crucial importance that case and file building is of high quality and stands up to scrutiny as a failure to do so, has the potential to cheat victims of crime from justice.
The Commissioner notes that only two of the reports recommendations relate specifically to individual Forces or Chief Constables and she has sought assurances from the Chief Constable that this can and will be implemented in a timely fashion. It is worthy of note that one of these relating to staff training cannot take place until after a national recommendation has been delivered and therefore the Chief Constables ability to implement this in line with the recommended timescales is reliant upon that. The Commissioner also has a national PCC lead for elements of Criminal Justice as a portfolio and is the Chair of the Local Criminal Justice Board for Northamptonshire. She is briefed by her lead for these matters on the wider recommendations and will be supported by the lead in her office on making sure that she influences the deliverable highlighted within this inspection report.
