Austerity blamed as prosecutions fall to lowest number on record

Campaigners said that crime had risen because the criminal justice system had been damaged by cuts
Campaigners said that crime had risen because the criminal justice system had been damaged by cuts
NIKAS HALLE’N/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Ministers have been accused of damaging the justice system “at every turn” after the number of suspects dealt with fell to its lowest since records began almost 50 years ago.

Just under 1.6 million people were processed by the criminal justice system in the year to September even though recorded crime in England and Wales rose by more than 8 per cent to 5 million offences in the same period.

Harry Fletcher, who campaigns for victims’ rights, said: “This is clearly linked to cuts. It is sending a message to victims that they have become an irrelevance who will not get justice. The government has damaged the criminal justice system at every turn. Courts have been closed, police officer numbers cut and the probation service