Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Attorney General, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Crown Prosecution Service in prosecuting terrorism offences.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) works closely with the police to help deliver the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy to ensure we have the best possible response to the threat from all forms of terrorism.

Within the CPS, the Counter-Terrorism Division is responsible for prosecuting terrorism cases investigated by the police in England and Wales. The Division is made up of highly specialised prosecutors, including thematic experts, and has a strong record of bringing successful prosecutions in terrorism cases.

Prosecutors engage with the police at a very early stage of investigations to provide advice and to help build strong cases, and to assist in identifying criminal justice opportunities to disrupt terrorist-related activity, using terrorism and non-terrorism legislation as appropriate.

Recent terrorism statistics published by the Home Office confirm that in the year ending 31 March 2022, 90% of people tried for terrorism-related offences were convicted.