Prosecutions

Over the last five years, the number of cases prosecuted by HSE, local authorities and, in Scotland, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service* has remained fairly constant.

In the latest year:

• HSE* prosecuted 551 cases, with a conviction secured in 517 cases (conviction rate of 94%).
• HSE* prosecuted 912 offences of health and safety, resulting in 774 convictions, a conviction rate of 85%.
• Duty holders found guilty of health and safety offences received fines totalling £18.6 million, an average penalty of £24 005 per offence.
• Local authorities* prosecuted 129 cases, with a conviction secured in 125 cases.
• Local authorities* prosecuted 294 offences, resulting in 270 convictions, a conviction rate of 92%.
• Duty holders found guilty of health and safety offences received fines totalling £2.2 million, an average penalty of £8 154 per offence.

Figure 1: Number of prosecution cases resulting in at least one conviction instituted by HSE, local authorities and, in Scotland, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service* (2006/07 – 2010/11p)

* In Scotland HSE and local authorities investigate potential offences but cannot institute legal proceedings. HSE and local authorities send a report to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). COPFS makes the final decision whether to institute legal proceedings and which offences are taken.

Further information is also available in the enforcement suite of tables.