Source: Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) (CPS) published on this website Friday 31 October 2025 by Jill Powell

Prosecutors are asking for views on how they prosecute ‘gang’-based offenders and whether guidance is needed on musical expression in prosecutions to help better protect the public.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has today launched a two-part public consultation seeking views on updating prosecution guidance on ‘gang’-related offending, as well as welcoming views on whether guidance is needed on the use of musical expression, including lyrics, as evidence in criminal prosecutions.

The current gangs guidance was published in 2020 and the CPS is asking whether standalone guidance is still appropriate, or whether the issues raised should be incorporated into other pieces of guidance. In particular, the CPS is interested in understanding a range of perspectives on how best to define a ‘gang’ and to guard against bias and stereotypes, to ensure fair and effective prosecutions for all.

Prosecutors are also consulting on whether guidance is needed over the use of musical expression in court cases. 

Lyrics from songs have been used as evidence in a courtroom in situations where a defendant has admitted to committing a crime. This is normally utilised as part of a package of evidence, in the same way a written or spoken confession would be. There are always legal safeguards to such evidence being presented to a jury. 

In other scenarios, when appropriate, the prosecution has been able to present evidence showing musical expression has been used in a build-up to a violent crime or to reveal information about a crime that only the attackers would know. Musical evidence and ‘gang’ evidence has also been used to show association between different parties in some cases of serious violence. 

As an impartial prosecuting authority, the consultation launched by the CPS into these issues will aim to make sure the legal guidance used by criminal prosecutors, who decide what evidence could be used in a courtroom, is clear, culturally aware and fit-for-purpose in England and Wales. 

The CPS are inviting responses from the public, musical artists, legal voices and other interested parties to help shape how prosecutors approach these issues. 

The first part of the consultation focuses on updating the guidance for prosecutors when considering cases involving alleged ‘gang’ affiliations. 

The second part explores the use of musical expression such as lyrics, videos, and performances as potential evidential material in criminal proceedings. At present there is no guidance on the use of musical expression as evidence in prosecutions, and these are decided on a case-by-case basis when deemed relevant. 

Lionel Idan, Chief Crown Prosecutor for London South and CPS Disproportionality Lead, said: “Gang-based violence has a significant detrimental impact on the safety of our communities, and has been shown to lead to devastating consequences.  

“We understand the debate and community concerns that exist around how ‘gang’ labels are applied, and how using music as evidence in criminal prosecutions may be considered a hinderance to creative licence. 

“That is why this consultation is an important opportunity for us to hear directly from the public and those most affected by these issues. We want to ensure our guidance is not only legally sound, but also socially informed, consistent and fair.

“The CPS want to hear and learn from a wide range of views to make sure that any guidance we issue to our prosecutors incorporates and reflects the diverse experiences and expectations of the public we serve.”

This consultation is part of the commitment to ensuring transparency, fairness and consistent decision-making in the criminal justice system.  

The consultation is now live and will remain open for responses for a 12-week period until 22 January 2026. After this, a report with a summary of the responses will be published. 

Solicitor General Ellie Reeves MP said: “Gang violence devastates communities and ruins lives. We are determined to protect the public from the threat of gang violence and strengthen the criminal justice system to deliver for victims. 

“We welcome this consultation, which will help prosecutors have clear and updated guidance that is fair and relevant for our communities today. I encourage everyone to contribute their views so we can get this important balance right.”

To participate in the consultation click here.

Source: UK Health Security Agency published on this website Wednesday 29 October 2025 by Jill Powell

The UK Health Security Agency has today published its evaluation report of the groundbreaking NHS emergency department (ED) opt-out testing programme – an integrated bloodborne virus (BBV) testing programme for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. 

The evaluation findings show the programme has identified thousands of people living unknowingly with bloodborne viruses, with many now being offered life-saving treatment for the first time.  

As part of blood tests taken during emergency care in 34 EDs in areas with the highest HIV prevalence, people are automatically tested for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C unless they opt out. Those who receive a diagnosis are then offered treatment and support.  

The results demonstrate the programme’s significant impact. Over 33 months, it conducted over 7 million BBV tests, representing around 50% of all BBV testing done in these areas during this period. It achieved a high test uptake rate of around 70% among eligible people, demonstrating the effectiveness of the opt-out approach.  

A large number of new diagnoses were identified:   

• 3,667 new hepatitis B (HBV) diagnoses  
• 831 new hepatitis C (HCV) diagnoses  
• 719 new HIV diagnoses  

One in 240 people tested was found to have hepatitis B, highlighting the large number of people who are living with undiagnosed hepatitis B and the benefit of combined opt-out testing for BBVs in EDs. Similarly, one in 1,276 people tested was found to have with HCV and one in 1916 for HIV. Further benefits included care re-engagement including 291 people previously diagnosed with HIV who were subsequently re-linked to HIV care during the programme.  

The report, commissioned by NHS England, evaluates the first 33 months of the programme from April 2022 to 1 January 2025.  

 Dr Sema Mandal, Consultant Epidemiologist and Deputy Director of the Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI and HIV Division at UKHSA, said:  

“The pioneering NHS opt-out testing programme in emergency departments is helping us reach thousands of people who did not know they were living with HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C.  Many of these individuals might never have been tested otherwise – missing the chance to access life-saving treatment.  

“What we’re seeing is a clear and urgent need to do more to tackle these serious infections. The high number of new diagnoses across all three conditions – particularly the consistently high hepatitis B numbers – shows just how many people are living with undiagnosed bloodborne viruses. We must improve awareness, expand testing and diagnosis and ensure people are supported into care and treatment. Early diagnosis can help prevent years of ill health and save thousands of lives.”

Over 60% of people tested had no record of previous BBV testing, indicating the programme successfully reached populations who may not have been diagnosed in other healthcare settings.   

Source: Merseyside Police published on this website Thursday 30 October 2025 by Jill Powell

A man and a woman have been found guilty of murdering their baby boy in Wirral last year.

On Sunday 24 November we received a report that a three-month-old baby boy, Miguel Pirjani, was found unresponsive at a house in Seacombe.

The infant received treatment in hospital but despite the efforts of medical professionals, he was sadly pronounced deceased five days later, on Friday 29 November.

Klevi Pirjani, 37 years, and Nivalda Santos Pirjani, 34 years, both of Percy Road, Seacombe were initially arrested and charged with causing grievous bodily harm and Section 18 wounding with intent.

Following the boy’s death, they were charged with murder and causing or allowing the death of a child.

A three-week trial commenced on Monday 6 October and Miguel’s mum, Nivalda Santos Pirjani, pleaded guilty to Causing/allowing death of a child.

Today, Wednesday 29 October, the jury found Klevi Pirjani and his wife, Nivalda, guilty of murder and Section 18 assault.

Speaking about the verdict, the Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Holly Chance said: “This was a truly shocking murder of baby Miguel Pirjani, and it has been an extremely distressing case for us to investigate.

“Miguel was only three months old when his life was tragically cut short at the violent hands of his parents.  

“Today’s conviction of Klevi and Nivalda is exceptionally heartbreaking as Miguel lost his life tragically by his own parents who were meant to nurture and protect him from harm.”

Klevi Pirjani, and Nivalda Santos Pirjani will both be sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court at a later date.

If you have any concerns for a person’s welfare contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre. You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously. In an emergency always call 999.

If you are a child or young person suffering physical abuse or know of someone suffering from such violence the following organisations can also provide help and support:

NSPCC – call 0808 800 5000 or e-mail help@nspcc.org.uk.
Childline – call 0800 1111

Source: Kent Police published on this website Tuesday 28 October 2025 by Jill Powell

The specialised operation has been carried out in Canterbury on Friday 17 October 2025 to assess how well the city’s hospitality sector is applying child protection training.

The exercise involved officers from Kent Police, supported by Kent Police Cadet volunteers, who visited six hotels across the city. Officers posed as guests attempting to book Child protection training put to the test in Canterbury hotels

accommodation under circumstances that could raise safeguarding concerns.

Officers were looking for evidence that staff were taking proportionate measures to identify potential child exploitation. At the end of the visits, a review was completed to score the effectiveness of staff in identifying children at risk of abuse or trafficking.

All six businesses that were visited received positive assessments, with staff showing good knowledge of child protection training. Following the exercise, officers returned to each hotel and identified themselves as police. They provided feedback on staff performance and offered training to further enhance their safeguarding plans, which all venues accepted.

Operation Makesafe is a nationwide initiative designed to assist the hotel sector in identifying potential victims of child exploitation. Throughout 2025, the exercise has been conducted in all 12 districts across Kent.

Superintendent Peter Steenhuis said:

“This operation was undertaken by Kent Police’s Child Centred Policing Team as part of our drive to prevent children from harm through positive engagement and education.

“Every member of staff our officers engaged with showed signs of concern and vigilance. Based on our review, we are confident that in each location, action would have been taken to intervene, or report concerns to police in a real-life scenario.”