The following table shows the number of defendant cases prosecuted in each of the last three years and the number that resulted in a conviction. Convictions are also shown as a proportion of cases completed in each year:
2005 2006 2007 Total prosecutions 1,156,325 1,098,627 1,071,738 Convictions 946,187 914,245 907,709 Convictions as percentage 81.8 83.2 84.7
The volume of cases has fallen as crime levels have reduced and as increasing numbers of lesser offences have been dealt with by way of a fixed penalty notice, rather than court proceedings. Against this background, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has achieved effective increases in conviction rates, from 81.8 per cent. in 2005 to 84.7 per cent. in 2007.