This was a supporting detail page of the main policy document.
We are giving the police more discretion to prosecute some high volume offences, which cause serious harm to communities, quickly and efficiently through the criminal justice system. The Crown Prosecution Service is responsible for prosecuting crimes, while the police have the power to prosecute some uncontested, low-level traffic offences (like speeding, driving without insurance, or failing to produce a driving licence). Specified proceedings The offences which the police can prosecute are set out in the Specified Proceedings Order 1999. Changes to this order were laid in Parliament on 26 June 2012. The changes came into force on 3 September 2012. They allow the police to prosecute:
in proof in absence cases (where the defendant does not attend court and has not objected to the evidence presented)
where exceptional hardship representations are made
If a defendant pleads not guilty then the case will continue to be handled by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Before the recent changes approximately a third of specified proceedings cases had to be de-specified , leading to delays while files were transferred, backlogs in the courts due to adjournments, and unnecessary burdens for the police and CPS. Extending offences In June 2014 an amendment to the Specified Proceedings Order 1999 came into force to extend police-led prosecutions to cover shop theft of goods worth £200 or less. Guidance is available for the police, which sets out how the legislation should be implemented, and what factors should be taken into account when making decisions on how to proceed with individual cases. Read the full list of offences. Making police-led prosecutions work 9 police forces have worked together to introduce specific approach to police-led prosecutions. The approach includes:
centralised police case management
postal charging and requisitioning for such cases rather than having to seek a summons from the magistrates’ court
clearer communications to increase defendants’ understanding of the process and reduce unnecessary attendance at court to plead guilty
dedicated courts/court sittings
police presentation officers presenting cases in court