Victims to be given the right to challenge the CPS

Greater Manchester’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd

Victims are to be given the right to challenge the Crown Prosecution Service when it decides to abandon a prosecution or not charge a suspect.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, said the new right to review would cover all decisions by the CPS not to pursue a case.

Greater Manchester’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Tony Lloyd, said it represented progress in putting the victim at the heart of the criminal justice system.

“This is a great step forward as it will empower victims who feel they have been let down by the system,” Mr Lloyd said.

“All too often victims are left on the margins in the criminal justice system when they should really be at its heart. If we want to encourage people to come forward and report crime we need to give them the confidence that their needs are first and foremost. Too many times I have heard from victims how they are made to feel powerless. They have had the strength to come forward in the first place - at the very least we should be giving them every opportunity to see justice done.

“This is why putting victims at the heart of what we do is central to my police and crime plan. We have a long way to go but this is going in the right direction.”

The new policy took effect from 5 June. It doesn’t include cases where the police have decided to take no further action.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has launched a three month consultation which can be viewed on the CPS website.