11 April 2006
PN06/0002
Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office marks first year successes
The Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office was founded on 18 April, 2005. At an event in London to mark its first anniversary, RCPO’s Director David Green QC said:
"RCPO is approaching its 1st birthday. Inevitably, setting up a new organisation from scratch has been challenging but stimulating and not without the odd irritation for all of us. Nevertheless, I think we can all be very proud of our first year in operation.
"Over that time:
- We have made ourselves known to the public, the media, the judiciary and the legal profession as a new independent prosecutions office handling some of the most serious cases in the criminal justice system.
- We have achieved an overall conviction rate of 89.5% in our casework.
- We have recruited new lawyers, caseworkers and support staff.
- The revamping of our office is nearing completion: we now have a much brighter and more professional working environment.
- The new Divisional structure is bedding in well.
- We are fully geared up for the servicing of SOCA work.
- We now have a scheme in place to support staff wishing to take professional or academic qualifications.
- We are building up a HR department and HR policies appropriate to a new government department.
- We have conducted interviews for trainee solicitors competing for training contracts
I thank my staff for all their hard work and commitment. I am convinced that together we will make RCPO a real success.
RCPO Facts and Figures 2005/06
- Over 1700 cases
- Over 75% guilty pleas
- Convictions in 90% of cases
- 411 confiscation orders, worth £36,617,204
- £21,167,236 of this already collected
- 255 staff, including 80 lawyers
- Budget of £35.6 million
Notes for Editors
The Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office was created by Royal Assent on 18 April 2005. An independent prosecuting authority, RCPO reports directly to the Attorney General, and is responsible for prosecuting some of the largest drug and fraud cases in the UK. The Director is David Green, QC. For further information see www.rcpo.gov.uk
RCPO Press Office 020 7865 5666
Out of hours 07770 703315
E-mail pressoffice@rcpo.gsi.gov.uk
