TOP cops and prosecutors are wasting time squabbling among themselves instead of tackling crime, experts warned yesterday.
A group advising Sir Keir Starmer said the police and CPS must “end the blame game”.
Dame Vera Baird KC said: ‘The calamitous collapse in charging under the Conservatives has had a detrimental impact on victims of crime’
The “charging commission” has called for a legal duty on chief constables and chief crown prosecutors to reduce delays and friction between their agencies while cases are investigated.
It also wants annual joint inspections to help guarantee police and the CPS improve communication and drive up the number of successful prosecutions.
The group’s chair Dame Vera Baird KC — the former Victims’ Commissioner — said: “The calamitous collapse in charging under the Conservatives has had a detrimental impact on victims of crime.
“We welcome Labour’s mission to reverse this trend.”
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper added: “This expert commission found a breakdown in communication and confidence between the two agencies, which is resulting in devastating delays and poor outcomes for victims.
“Labour will implement its common-sense recommendations to ensure the criminal justice system delivers for the people it is there to serve.”
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