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Prosecutors have been told to "fast-track" hate crime prosecutions following a "troubling rise" in antisemitic hate crimes. Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Stephen Parkinson has issued guidance to prosecutors which says "any supporting evidence can be obtained subsequently" once the evidential threshold for a charge is met. It follows a series of attacks on Britain’s Jewish community. Mr Parkinson said "only a fraction" of antisemitic crimes are referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), saying the Jewish community faces "extreme acts of violence and criminal damage". TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Explaining the decision to fast-track hate crimes, the DPP said in his guidance to prosecutors: "Its purpose is to ensure that charging decisions are made swiftly and efficiently, with prosecutors focusing on the core evidence required to determine whether the evidential test is met. "Where that threshold for prosecution is satisfied, then a prosecution decision should not be delayed, any supporting evidence can be obtained subsequently." It follows the announcement Jewish communities across England are set to receive an extra £1million of Government funding as ministers seek to tackle a rise in antisemitism. The money is expected to pay for community safety work and projects aimed at countering antisemitic narratives. The guidance continues: "This guidance is issued against a background of a deeply troubling rise in antisemitic incidents across the country. "These are not limited to the extreme acts of violence and criminal damage that are currently the subject of investigation and proceedings. "Instead, it is evident that, as they go about their daily lives, the Jewish community face numerous incidents which involve threats or abuse and which are intended or likely to cause distress to Jewish people. "All such incidents are crimes, but only a fraction of them are referred to the CPS. Where they are, we prosecute in the great majority of cases, with a high conviction rate." LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Non-crime hate incidents officially scrapped as police told to catch criminals rather than investigate tweets Non-crime hate incidents to be scrapped by all police forces with plans for new 'common sense' system revealed British university's pro-Palestine activists ask if students will 'go for jihad' More to follow... Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
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