§ Mr. BoatengTo ask the Attorney-General what action he is planning to take in the light of his meeting with the all-party parliamentary group on race and community on Thursday 3 February, on the subject of the Crown Prosecution Service's attitude to racially motivated offences.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Crown Prosecution Service's approach to racially motivated offences is set out in the code for Crown prosecutors. When assessing whether a prosecution is required in the public interest, a clear racial motivation is regarded as an aggravating feature pointing towards prosecution if there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of a conviction.
The CPS is considering the introduction of race awareness training nationally. In London the National Association of Care and Resettlement Officers has been consulted about providing such training. The CPS is also carefully considering systems to monitor the implementation of its policies which are designed to ensure that defendants of all ethnic origins are treated equally.