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<p>The CPS currently operates across 14 geographical areas in England and Wales. Dedicated
rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) units were not introduced across the geographical
areas until 2014. It is not possible for the CPS to provide reliable statistics with
respect to prosecutor numbers working within these specialist units prior to 2015.
Its records do show the number of prosecutors employed by the CPS in specialist RASSO
units as at July 2015, June 2016 and May 2017.</p><p>Number of Prosecutors working
in specialist RASSO units:</p><p>July 2015: 138</p><p>June 2016: 185</p><p>May 2017:
197</p><p>The CPS financial records have only recently split RASSO units into separate
cost centres so it is not possible to provide the exact historical spend on RASSO
prosecutors for each year. The headcount figures can be translated into an equivalent
annual spend based on the average total payroll cost[1] of employing Senior Crown
Prosecutors in each year. In 2015 the approximate cost of employing RASSO prosecutors
was £9.3 million. In 2016 the approximate cost was £12.8 million and in 2017 it is
estimated that the cost will be £13.8 million.</p><p>[1] Total payroll costs are inclusive
of Employers National Insurance and Pension costs</p>
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