Crown Prosecution Service

HC Deb 30 June 2003 vol 408 cc28-9W

Mr. Steen

To ask the Solicitor General how many cases were referred to the CPS by each police service in England and Wales in each of the last three years; what percentage of referred cases were dropped by the CPS; and what percentage of referred cases resulted in a criminal conviction. [122052]

The Solicitor-General

CPS records are held for each of the 42 Areas of the Service which are not always coterminous with the boundaries of the 43 police forces.

The tables which have been placed in the Library show the number of defendant cases received by the Crown Prosecution Service in magistrates' courts and in the Crown Court for each of the last three years, and the eventual outcome of proceedings. Case outcomes are expressed as a percentage of completed cases for each year. The number of cases dealt with may differ from the number received because incomplete proceedings are carried over from year to year.

Cases may result in a number of different outcomes: these are shown in full.

The table of outcomes for magistrates' courts shows: Received: the number of defendants whose case was received from the police during each year, including cases referred for pre-charge advice as well as those which were the subject of charge or summons; Discontinued: the number in which the CPS decided not to proceed before evidence was heard; Bound over: the number in which the CPS agreed to accept a bind over, and no trial was held; Written off: the number of cases which could not proceed because the police could not trace the defendant, or the defendant had died or been found unfit to plead; Committed for trial in the Crown Court; Dismissed; and Convicted, including guilty pleas as well as convictions after trial.

The table of outcomes for the Crown Court shows: Received: the number of cases received from magistrates' courts, including appeals and committals for sentence as well as those committed for trial; Judge ordered acquittals: the number in which the CPS decided not to proceed before a jury was sworn; Bound over: the number in which the CPS agreed to accept a bind over, and no trial was held; Written off: the number of cases which could not proceed because the police could not trace the defendant, or the defendant had died or been found unfit to plead; Acquitted; and Convicted, including guilty pleas as well as convictions after trial.