Prosecuting hate crimes

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is the principal public prosecution service for criminal cases in England and Wales.

In undertaking this role, the CPS:

  • advises the police during the early stages of investigations; 
  • determines the appropriate charges in all but the most routine cases; 
  • keeps all cases under continuous review and decides which cases should be prosecuted; 
  • prepares cases for prosecution in court and prosecutes the cases with in-house advocates, or instructs agents and counsel to present cases; 
  • provides information and assistance to victims and prosecution witnesses; 
  • engages with communities to help improve our work; and 
  • addresses offending using out-of-court alternatives or ‘disposals’ where appropriate.

For more information visit the CPS website at www.cps.gov.uk.
 

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