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Written question asked by Bradley Thomas (Conservative) on Friday, 29 May 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 2 June 2026. It was answered by Sarah Jones (Labour) on Thursday, 25 June 2026 on behalf of the Home Office.

Crime: Statistics

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to (a) ensure police forces pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry to avoid categorising victim-based offences cases as a evidential difficulties outcome prematurely and (b) support police forces to reduce the number of victim-based cases being categorised as a evidential difficulties outcome.

Answer

The police have a duty to pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry, as set out in the Code of Practice under the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996.

The Home Office works with policing and the Crown Prosecution Service to improve all case outcomes, including best efforts to secure justice for all victims. A joint Police and Crown Prosecution Service action plan is implementing recommendations from a recent Criminal Justice Joint Inspectorates’ inspection, which will include improvements around ensuring evidential material is sufficiently robust for a prosecution to proceed. This applies to all cases, including victim-based offences, and supports efforts to reduce closures due to evidential difficulties.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
5198
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Crime Victims Statistics
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk