CPS and police link to boost efficiency Efficiency test as CPS and police join forces
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Prosecution lawyers are to work with detectives in police stations in an attempt to improve both efficiency and the quality of cases brought to trial.
Pilot schemes, to be launched in 12 police centres around the country, will test whether more cases get to court more speedily and with less alterations.
But yesterday the Crown Prosecution Service stressed that working alongside police officers would not mean the independence of the service was compromised. There remained a dividing line between a police investigation and the CPS lawyers giving legal advice on the admissibility and worth of the evidence.
If successful, liaison officers are likely to move into all 43 police areas. A similar move was suggested by Labour last year.
Barbara Mills, the Director of Public Prosecutions and head of the CPS, said: "The aim of the initiative is for lawyers and police officers to get it right first time. This will help to ensure that the right cases go to the right court on the right charge at the right time.
"Lawyers will be advising on evidence and public interest factors in cases, which will help to improve the quality and timeliness of files and promote more efficient use of resources."
The scheme was launched yesterday at Darlington police station, County Durham, where a prosecutor will staff a help desk throughout office hours.
Similar projects will follow in five more stations - Barnsley, Northampton, Shoreditch in east London, Bedford, and Leeds - and at six police administrative support units - Lincoln, South Norwood in south London, Watford, Gwent, Harborne in Birmingham and Thanet in Kent.
Graham Duff, director of CPS operations, said the new procedure would be useful in difficulties over identification, corroboration and hearsay evidence. It was also likely to benefit complex cases, such as child abuse investigations.
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