Member

Of most concern is the impact that this clause would have on charities, which are frequent targets of fraud and theft. These often involve relatively modest sums for each offence, but cumulatively the charities can suffer substantial harm. These crimes not only divert funds from their intended charitable purpose but abuse public trust and can, ultimately, damage donor confidence. After all, why give to a charity which is unable to recover one’s money in the event of theft or fraud? The existing police and Crown Prosecution Service capacity constraints mean that such cases are not always prioritised, even where the evidential case is strong. Properly conducted, private prosecutions have therefore filled a gap. They have secured convictions, custodial sentences, compensation orders and deterrence. They have done so all without drawing on Crown Prosecution Service trial resources; we heard in the last debate about the pressures on the CPS.