Assistance Provided by Offenders
Plain-English digest of CPS prosecution guidance.
AI-generated summary — not verbatim. This is a plain-English digest, not the official CPS text. It may omit detail or fall out of date. Do not rely on it for a charging decision — read the full guidance on cps.gov.uk and check the current legislation.
This prosecution guidance outlines the procedures and considerations for managing the assistance offered by offenders in criminal investigations. It details various routes for prosecutors, including the use of texts, agreements under the Sentencing Act 2020 and Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, and the discretion exercised by prosecutors in relation to offender cooperation. The guidance emphasizes the importance of evaluating the credibility and reliability of the assisting offenders while ensuring they are protected under relevant laws.
Key points
- Assisting offenders may provide intelligence or evidence in exchange for potential leniency in sentencing.
- Prosecutors must evaluate the value and risks associated with assistance from offenders.
- Text agreements require careful handling and must be approved by senior prosecutors.
- Immunity from prosecution can be granted under strict conditions to secure cooperation.
- Prosecutorial discretion must be exercised judiciously, considering the potential impact on justice.
Public-interest factors
- The importance of public safety and security in securing information from offenders.
- The need to balance the benefits of cooperation with the rights of victims and the community.
- Confidentiality and safeguarding of assisting offenders against possible retaliation.
This is a factual digest of guidance published by the Crown Prosecution Service. Digested 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the CPS.