Accessibility controls Set font size to 100% Set font size to 125% Set font size to 150% Switch to colour theme Switch to blue theme Switch to high visibility theme Switch to soft theme Search for Top menu CareersContact Main navigation About CPS Crime info Victims & witnesses Prosecution guidance Publications News Main content area Help us improve how we explain our work on rape and serious sexual assault As part of our work on rape and serious sexual offences we’ve made a commitment to improve the information we provide to victims, supporters and the public about how we charge and prosecute these cases. We’re asking for your feedback because we want to make sure that we’re getting things right. Previous slide Next slide Your local CPS The CPS operates across England and Wales, with 14 regional teams prosecuting cases locally. Each of these 14 CPS Areas is headed by a Chief Crown Prosecutor, and works closely with local police forces and other criminal justice partners. Find out who’s who in your area, and read more about local cases. Find out about your area Select your area Toggle select options The Crown Prosecution Service The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) prosecutes criminal cases that have been investigated by the police and other investigative organisations in England and Wales. The CPS is independent, and we make our decisions independently of the police and government. Our duty is to make sure that the right person is prosecuted for the right offence, and to bring offenders to justice wherever possible. The CPS: decides which cases should be prosecuted; determines the appropriate charges in more serious or complex cases, and advises the police during the early stages of investigations; prepares cases and presents them at court; and provides information, assistance and support to victims and prosecution witnesses. Prosecutors must be fair, objective and independent. When deciding whether to prosecute a criminal case, our lawyers must follow the Code for Crown Prosecutors. This means that to charge someone with a criminal offence, prosecutors must be satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction, and that prosecuting is in the public interest. Crime info We prosecute people for hundreds of different types of crime every year. This section gives an introduction to some of the categories of offending that we are asked about most often. Cyber / Online crime Domestic abuse Driving offences Drug offences Fraud and Economic crime Hate crime International and Organised crime Proceeds of Crime Sexual offences Terrorism Violent crime Youth crime Victims & witnesses Being a victim or a witness to a crime is not easy, but with your help, we work hard to bring offenders to justice. Throughout the justice process we will support you and treat you with dignity. From reporting the crime to passing sentence we explain what happens, the role of the CPS and what you can expect from us. Support for victims & witnesses Prosecution guidance This guidance assists our prosecutors when they are making decisions about cases. It is regularly updated to reflect changes in law and practice. ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ View all prosecution guidance Latest News View all news Football fan jailed for 10 weeks after Euro 2020 rant on Facebook 03 November 2021 Hate crime David Carrick: CPS authorises 13 further charges 24 November 2021 Sexual offences CPS statement following Zephaniah McLeod sentencing 18 November 2021 Violent crime Previous slide Next slide @cpsuk RT @CPSWestMids: We were pleased to have a stand at the @KeeleUniversity law fair today, talking to students about the CPS and the amazing… The Crown Prosecution Service 102 Petty France, London, SW1H 9EA GOV.UK is the place to find government's services and information online. Follow us Twitter YouTube Linkedin Footer menu Careers Feedback and complaints Data protection Advocate Panels Footer right menu Crown Copyright and disclaimer Privacy and cookies Sitemap Accessibility statement © Copyright 2017 CPS. All rights reserved. This site uses cookies to store information on your computer. Some of these cookies are essential to make our site work and others help us to improve by giving us some insight into how the site is being used. By using our site you accept the terms of our Privacy Policy (Opens in a new window) External Link Icon I Accept Necessary Cookies Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences. About this tool (Opens in a new window) External Link Icon Cookie Control