Criminal cases collapse due to evidence loss

This is a England news story, published by BBC, that relates primarily to National Police Chiefs' Council news.

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Crown Prosecution Service

BBC

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US Politics

Thousands of criminal cases collapsing due to missing or lost police evidence

Summary

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84% Informative

More than 30,000 prosecutions in England and Wales collapsed between October 2020 and September 2024 .

Figures include 70 homicides and more than 550 sexual offences.

Police chiefs say not all the cases relate to lost evidence, but figures include situations where officers may not be able to find an expert witness or get a medical statement.

Leading criminologist says increase was largely "a resourcing issue" brought about by cuts to police forces.

National Police Chiefs' Council said police and CPS worked together to ensure evidence was "gathered and presented in a timely manner, bringing offenders to justice and ensuring victims are safeguarded" A number of recent reports have raised serious concerns about police storage of evidence.

One in 20 prosecutions by the Met had been dropped as a result of missing evidence.

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informal

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English

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