criminal-law england-and-wales police prosecution
What role do the police have rather than the CPS in &quot;charging&quot; criminals?
<p>What is the difference for that matter between &quot;charging&quot; and &quot;prosecuting&quot;?</p>

<p>The <a href="https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/charging-directors-guidance-sixth-edition-december-2020" rel="nofollow noreferrer">charging guide</a> outlines the division of charging responsibility between police and the Crown Prosecution Service:</p>
<blockquote>
<ol>
<li>The police may charge:</li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Any summary only offence, irrespective of plea;</li>
<li>Any offence of retail theft (shoplifting) or attempted retail theft, irrespective of plea, provided it is suitable for sentence in the magistrates’ court; and</li>
<li>Any either way offence anticipated as a guilty plea and suitable for sentence in magistrates’ court;</li>
</ul>
<p>Provided that this is not:</p>
<ul>
<li>a case requiring the consent to prosecute of the DPP or Law Officer;</li>
<li>a case involving a death;</li>
<li>connected with terrorist activity or official secrets;</li>
<li>classified as Hate Crime or Domestic Abuse under CPS Policies;</li>
<li>a case of harassment or stalking;</li>
<li>an offence of Violent Disorder or Affray;</li>
<li>causing Grievous Bodily Harm or Wounding, or Actual Bodily Harm;</li>
<li>a Sexual Offences Act offence committed by or upon a person under 18;</li>
<li>an offence under the Licensing Act 2003.</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<p>Prosecutors make charging decisions in all cases not allocated to police.</p>
