About us 

Criminal Justice system

Thames Valley Police’s Criminal Justice department works in partnership with other agencies involved in the Criminal Justice system.

The agencies that we work closely with are:

Thames Valley Criminal Justice Board

Local Criminal Justice Boards aim to improve coordination between the police and all criminal justice agencies. They were established in April 2003 and are accountable to the National Criminal Justice Board.

For more information, visit the Thames Valley Criminal Justice Board website (opens new window).

Thames Valley Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)

Thames Valley Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is one of 42 CPS areas across England and Wales who prosecute people charged with a criminal offence. CPS lawyers review the evidence gathered by the police and decide whether the case should go to court.

For more information, visit the Thames Valley Crown Prosecution Service website (opens new window).

Her Majesty’s Courts Service (HMCS)

Her Majesty’s Courts Service (HMCS) is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). It is responsible for delivering justice effectively and efficiently to the public. They are also responsible for managing the magistrates’ courts, the Crown Court, county courts, the High Court, and Court of Appeal in England and Wales.

For more information, visit Her Majesty’s Courts Service website (opens new window).

Youth offending teams (YOTs)

Youth offending teams (YOTs) are made up of representatives from the police, Probation Service, social services, health, education, drugs and alcohol misuse and housing officers.

YOTs are crucial to the success of the youth justice system, which is overseen by the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales (YJB). The YJB works to prevent offending and reoffending by children and young people under the age of 18.

For more information, visit the Youth Justice Board website (opens new window).

Thames Valley Probation Service

Thames Valley Probation Service works with people who have committed different types of offences, such as burglary, violence, car crime and sex offences. They provide probation supervision, offending behaviour programmes and specialist support services which aim to stop people committing further offences.

For more information, visit the Thames Valley Probation Service website (opens new window).

Her Majesty’s Prison Service

Her Majesty’s Prison Service serves the public by keeping in custody those committed to prison by the courts. Her Majesty's Prison Service has a duty to look after prisoners with humanity and to help them to lead law-abiding and useful lives in custody and after release from prison.

For more information, visit Her Majesty’s Prison Service website (opens new window).

Further information

Useful information