HMICFRS urges overhaul of police and CPS case building
Iain Hoey
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Inspectors say joint case work still lacks coordination
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has reported that strategic gaps between the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) continue to affect criminal case preparation.
According to HMICFRS, a joint inspection with His Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) identified ongoing failures in communication, performance oversight and digital compatibility between the two services.
The final report, published in July 2025, follows an interim publication in January 2024.
It examined how strategic oversight of police and CPS collaboration has evolved and whether previous recommendations had been acted on.
Inspectors said existing problems had not been resolved. Areas of concern included uncoordinated IT systems, inconsistent file standards, unclear performance measures and delays in charging advice.
The report urged the National Criminal Justice Board to develop a full-system strategy that improves joint performance and outcomes for victims.
Joint inspection calls for national criminal justice strategy
The joint review concluded that there is no unified vision for the wider criminal justice system. This has contributed to conflicting priorities, repeated work and delays that reduce overall efficiency.
Inspectors said that a lack of common performance metrics makes it difficult to evaluate progress in both pre- and post-charge stages. Local teams also experience friction due to uncertainty about roles and standards.
The report recommended that the National Criminal Justice Board publish a national improvement strategy. It also advised creating a joint digital case management system and commissioning an independent review of performance data.
Anthony Rogers, Chief Inspector of HMCPSI, and Sir Andy Cooke, HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary, said: “The relationship between the police and the CPS is critical in an efficient and effective criminal justice system, that increases public trust and importantly to provide better outcomes for victims.
“Over the years, we have seen many changes in the way they interact and work together.
“Most recently, we have seen changes made to disclosure and case building processes, which have increased inefficiencies and tensions between policing and CPS.”
Inspection identifies unchanged systemic problems
The findings reiterated long-standing issues noted in earlier reviews, including weak strategic leadership and unclear division of responsibilities.
Inspectors said that police file quality and delays in CPS guidance continue to hinder progress. These challenges are compounded by changing requirements about file content and limited access to integrated technology.
Rogers and Cooke added: “Successive inspections by HMCPSI and HMICFRS have identified the need to improve case management between the police and the CPS.
“This has been a complex inspection, with a number of issues needing to be examined further and to the degree necessary.
“However, it is clear that fundamental issues remain unchanged, including on joined up processes and priorities.
“There is no clear strategy for improvement being driven across the system and there continues to be a lack of shared performance metrics.”
Frontline progress linked to leadership changes
The report noted that despite broader structural challenges, some positive developments have been observed at operational level.
Inspectors credited the Strategic Joint Operational Improvement Board with initiating reforms and piloting new ways of working. These include targeted efforts to streamline processes and reduce duplication.
Rogers and Cooke said: “However, since our interim inspection, we have seen changes at senior levels in both policing and the CPS, which have led to much more effective senior joint relationships.
“We are seeing early signs of senior collaboration having a positive impact on the approach to joint working at the frontline.
“We are encouraged by the work to address some of the inefficiencies, including the approach of trying and testing innovative ways to improve how the police and CPS work together.”
Inspectors urge full-system alignment for future efficiency
While the report welcomed recent reforms, it warned against viewing the CPS and police in isolation from the wider criminal justice system.
Inspectors said progress would remain limited without cross-agency planning, integrated performance targets and clarity about improvement goals.
Rogers and Cooke concluded: “But we cannot view the police and CPS in isolation, and we are deeply concerned there is a lack of strategic governance and co-ordination across the criminal justice system.
“That is why we are calling on the National Criminal Justice Board to publish a clear strategy to ensure all parts of the criminal justice system are aligned and are working towards the same goal – improving performance and delivering justice for victims.”
HMICFRS report calls for unified strategy: Summary
HMICFRS and HMCPSI conducted a joint inspection into how police and CPS build prosecution cases.
The final report was published in July 2025.
The review found continued inefficiencies in communication, digital systems and case file handling.
Previous recommendations had not led to consistent improvements.
Inspectors found that performance metrics are unclear or not shared.
Delays in charging advice and file quality issues persist.
Local frontline teams face difficulties caused by conflicting practices.
Recent senior-level reforms have helped improve operational collaboration.
The Strategic Joint Operational Improvement Board has led pilot initiatives.
Inspectors issued 18 recommendations for national-level changes.
These include creating a full criminal justice strategy.
They also call for a joint digital case management system.
An independent review of performance metrics is recommended.
Inspectors said that better coordination is essential to deliver justice.
The National Criminal Justice Board is urged to lead this change.