Mark Todd

An action plan has been drawn up after Mark complained about the Crown Prosecution Service's handling of rape cases in Derbyshire.

Last summer, Mark asked the Solicitor General, Vera Baird, to look into the performance of the service after being alerted to a local case which was dropped just as it reached trial.

Ms Baird had already announced that there would be a programme of visits to all CPS offices across the country. Speaking in Parliament, Mark asked her to prioritise an inspection of the Derbyshire service.

Mark said the case was dropped  "apparently because of failures by the local CPS to communicate effectively with social services about key papers, with the entire range of cases against her assailant subsequently dismissed".

He also mentioned that as a result of this case, he had had contact with people who were concerned at other cases handled by Derbyshire CPS. 

The visit was carried out in the Autumn. Chief Derbyshire prosecutor Brian Gunn has now written to Mark informing him that an action plan has been drawn up based on 12 recommendations made by the inspection team.

The action plan includes setting up a formal "joint governance structure" for rape prosecutions; more training for lawyers involved in these prosecutions; ensuring meetings take place with experts involved in rape cases; a review of Derbyshire's local protocol for rape plus making sure that prosecutors and case workers comply with guidance and that a forensic doctor attends the area's strategic rape meeting group.

Mr Gunn also wrote: "I would like to reassure you of my commitment to ensuring that we deliver a high quality prosecution service in our casework and particularly so in respect of the handling of cases involving allegations of rape."

Mark said: "The report produced after the inspection was critical of aspects of Derbyshire CPS's performance. I am glad that they have responded positively to the report. I have met Brian Gunn and gone through the action plan produced in some detail, and I know that the CPS has also discussed what they should do with the voluntary sector which provides help to victims of sexual assault. 

"These are appalling offences and prosecuting them is never easy. Evidence can be hard to obtain and the pressure on the victim not to pursue a complaint can be extremely strong. There is evidence that in some other parts of the country a higher rate of successful prosecution has been achieved. This exercise has sought to build on best practice. Once the actions recommended have been implemented I am hopeful that we can improve local performance, increasing the confidence of victims."