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Crown Office area inspection report
31/01/2008
The Inspectorate of Prosecution today published an inspection report on the Dumfries and Galloway Area of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
While there were many areas of good practice, five recommendations were made to the Crown Office to improve practice. One of the recommendations is in serious cases, a greater effort should be made to see essential witnesses.
HM Chief Inspector Joe O'Donnell said:
"The Inspectorate of Prosecution has commenced inspection of the 11 Areas of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and of Crown Office Headquarters. These inspections are wide ranging including reviews of individual cases, bail considerations, management issues, service to victims and witnesses, disclosure issues and equality issues.
"This first inspection report looks at the Dumfries and Galloway Area. Overall performance was found to be very good against a background of increased work, especially in the area of serious crime. Positive feedback was received on the service provided to victims and witnesses. Five recommendations are made, including greater effort to see essential witnesses and more effort to disclose to the defence, in line with current policy."
Inspection feedback is obtained from a wide range of Criminal Justice Partners and others to enable as wide an evidence base as possible.
The Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland is an independent statutory body charged with the inspection of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. It does this by way of Office and Area inspection reports and also by thematic reports.