As Shadow Attorney General, one of my main focuses has been developing Labour’s approach to tackling the shocking collapse in criminals being charged that has taken place under the Tories. It’s time we replace the “blame game” between the police and the CPS over charge rates with cooperation to punish criminals and protect communities.

That’s why it was so exciting in September to join the Shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, and the former Victims Commissioner, Dame Vera Baird, along with a number of leading experts in policing and criminal justice, for the first meeting of Labour’s new Charging Commission.

The Commission will look at a range of issues, including enhancing cooperation between the police and Crown Prosecution Service, improving the speed and quality of police response and charging decisions, and ensuring that victims are being provided with sufficient support to avoid them dropping out. Our aim is to address the sharp drop in the proportion of crimes that are successfully prosecuted, and as a result create a roadmap for reversing this terrible trend should Labour come into power next year.

You can read more about Labour’s Charging Commission by clicking here.