UK Justice Crisis: Thousands of Cases Collapse Due to Missing Evidence

Thousands of UK Criminal Cases Collapse Due to Missing Evidence A BBC News investigation reveals a shocking crisis in the UK justice system: thousands of criminal cases, including serious violent and sexual offenses, are collapsing each year due to lost, damaged, or missing evidence. This has devastating consequences for victims, as seen in the case of Kiera, a child sex abuse survivor whose crucial video evidence was lost by Lancashire Police, leading to a nine-year delay in her case. "I felt like I did all this work for nothing," she said, expressing her frustration and sense of betrayal. The investigation uncovered data showing more than 30,000 prosecutions collapsed because of missing evidence between October 2020 and September 2024. This includes 70 homicides and 554 sexual offenses. Lancashire Police have apologized, and claim better processes are now in place. However, the sheer number of cases affected raises serious questions about the effectiveness of current evidence management practices across UK law enforcement. The National Police Chiefs' Council acknowledges the issue, stating that they are working with police to resolve such issues when they arise. This crisis highlights the urgent need for improved record-keeping and evidence handling procedures to ensure justice for victims and the integrity of the criminal justice system.