The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for England and Wales, Stephen Parkinson, has announced that hate crime prosecutions will be fast-tracked in response to a "deeply troubling rise in antisemitic incidents" across the country.
New Guidance Issued
Mr Parkinson has issued new guidance to prosecutors, stating that once the evidential threshold for a charge is met, "any supporting evidence can be obtained subsequently." This move aims to speed up charging decisions and deter further antisemitic behaviour.
The guidance follows a series of attacks on Britain's Jewish community, including arson attacks at Jewish sites in London and a double stabbing in Golders Green, which is being treated as terrorism. Counter-terrorism police are also investigating a suspected arson attack at a former synagogue in Whitechapel.
DPP's Statement
Speaking to the Press Association, Mr Parkinson expressed hope that "we can put a line in the sand" and that swift decisions would stop an "uptick" in antisemitic acts. He clarified that complex cases would not be rushed, and the CPS is working closely with police to build evidence for charging decisions.
In his guidance, Mr Parkinson wrote: "Its purpose is to ensure that charging decisions are made swiftly and efficiently, with prosecutors focusing on the core evidence required to determine whether the evidential test is met. Where that threshold for prosecution is satisfied, then a prosecution decision should not be delayed – any supporting evidence can be obtained subsequently."
Pattern of Copycat Antisemitism
While prosecutors have not seen evidence of direct linkage between recent attacks, Mr Parkinson noted a "pattern of copycat antisemitism taking place." He warned that such incidents encourage others to commit similar crimes.
When asked about the possibility of more antisemitic crimes being prosecuted as terrorism, Mr Parkinson said it was possible, provided the necessary links are established, as has been done in the most extreme cases.
Underreporting of Hate Crimes
The DPP highlighted that only "a fraction" of antisemitic crimes are referred to the CPS, with the Jewish community facing "extreme acts of violence and criminal damage" as well as daily threats and abuse. He stressed that all such incidents are crimes, and the CPS prosecutes the majority with a high conviction rate.
Dave Rich, director of policy at Community Security Trust (CST), welcomed the guidance, saying: "We hope that quicker prosecutions will deter further offenders and show the Jewish community that the CPS will act to bring antisemites to justice."
Government Response
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warned Iran against efforts to stir up violence and hatred in the UK, amid suspicions Tehran could be backing antisemitic attacks. The Government has promised new laws to target state-backed groups, and Mr Parkinson said he would "definitely" support proscribing Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) if it strengthened the CPS's ability to prosecute.
