Joint enterprise prosecutions to be monitored for racial bias

CPS agrees, following legal challenge, to record age and race data after studies show young men and black boys suffer most

Joint enterprise prosecutions in England and Wales are to be monitored after a legal challenge from campaigners who argued it disproportionately targets black males and young men.

Under the doctrine, an individual can be jointly charged with the crime of another if the court decides they foresaw that the other party was likely to commit that crime. This has resulted in bystanders, or people involved in much lesser criminal offences, being convicted of murder or manslaughter.