HMCPSI has a statutory duty to inspect the operation of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
The purpose of inspection is to drive improvements and build public confidence in the prosecution process. Our inspections do this by providing independently assessed evidence, which:
- Allows others to hold the CPS and SFO to account
- Informs debate about how they perform
While we may make recommendations in our reports, we are not a regulator, and do not have any power to enforce compliance.
Latest reports
Today we publish our knife crime inspection looking at the CPS’s handling of knife crime offences. We found that the CPS handles the majority of cases well, most are simple possession offences.
Published on March 31, 2026
Read full reportOur annual business plan for 2026/27 sets out our strategic priorities and the work we expect to do this year.
Published on March 16, 2026
Read full reportA report identifying the factors that contribute to casework qulaity in the Crown Prosecution Service
Published on March 11, 2026
Read full reportLatest news
Current and upcoming inspections
See which inspections we are currently working on and those we plan to undertake in the near future.
About us
Our vision
A fair, effective and trusted prosecution process
Who we inspect
- We have a statutory duty to inspect the work of the Crown Prosecution Service and Serious Fraud Office.
- By special arrangement, we also share our expertise with other prosecutions services in the UK and overseas.
- We are independent of the organisations we inspect, and our methods of gathering evidence and reporting are open and transparent.