Crown Prosecution Service
The main role of the Crown Prosecution Service in London is to charge and prosecute people who have committed criminal offences. Its lawyers review the evidence gathered by the police and decide whether the case should proceed to court or if there should be an alternative punishment such as a caution. They also:
- Advise the police on cases for possible prosecution
- Review cases submitted by the police for prosecution
- Where the decision is to prosecute, determine the charge in all but minor cases
- Prepare cases for court
- Present those cases at court
Prosecutors, rather than the police, decide the charges that should be brought against suspects, except in very minor cases.
The CPS has 42 Areas across England and Wales, divided into 15 regional groups. Each Area is headed by a Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP) who is responsible for the delivery of a high quality prosecution service to his or her local Area.
Telephone 020 7796 8000
Nazir Afzal
Acting Chief Crown Prosecutor for London
7th Floor
50 Ludgate Hill
London EC4M 7EX
DX: 300850 Ludgate EC4
Fax: 020 7710 3447
Web: www.cps.gov.uk
