183 criminal cases in Norfolk collapsed between 2022 and 2024
Seven of these related to sexual offences and fell apart due to lost or missing evidence, according to figures from local Police
It's been revealed 183 criminal cases in Norfolk collapsed between October 2022 and September last year.
Seven of these related to sexual offences and fell apart due to lost or missing evidence, according to figures from local Police.
Despite this- the numbers show that just under 1.3% of the over 14 thousand cases handed to the Crown Prosecution Service between this period, collapsed.
That's was markedly better than figures from Suffolk (1.59%), Essex, (1.97%) and Cambridgeshire, (1.75%).
A performance which actually places Norfolk Constabulary as the tenth best force, here in England.
The numbers in full:
Norfolk Police (October 2022 to September 2024)
Total prosecutions handed to the CPS between October 2022 and September 2024- 14,143
Number of cases collapsing due to lost or missing evidence (E72) during that time- 183
Proportion of cases collapsing due to lost or missing evidence (E72) during that time- 1.29%
Number of collapsed cases that were murder cases- 0
Number of collapsed cases that were sexual offences- 7
What has Norfolk Police said on this?
"The discontinuance code E72 is fully described as E72 Key evidence missing - statements, experts, medical, and forensic (including no file from police).
It is a rare occurrence for a case to fail due to evidence being lost or files not being submitted. In most cases, E72 discontinuances occur because, when fully reviewed, the evidence available did not provide a realistic prospect of conviction.
Whilst these discontinuances occur in a very low proportion of our cases (around 1.29%), we recognise the impact this has on victims and are committed to improving investigations and case building to reduce the number even further"
"A real drive to further improve on this result."
Sarah Taylor, Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk, said:
"Whilst any collapsed case is a difficult outcome for the victim or survivors of the incident, it is positive and reassuring that Norfolk Constabulary ranks in the top ten for performance as they have such low proportions of collapsed cases compared with constabularies across the country.
This positive outcome speaks to the commitment that is demonstrated across the criminal justice system to support and provide justice for victims, particularly those who are victims of sexual offences, despite the very real challenges that are being faced across all public sector organisations.
I’m encouraged by conversations with the Constabulary and other criminal justice partners which demonstrate not only a lack of complacency but a real drive to further improve on this result.