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Myths in law
Myths in law

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3.2.1 Other agencies

Parliament has given other bodies powers to investigate and prosecute certain crimes. These include:

Described image
Figure 13 Government agencies
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This figure shows the logos of four different government agencies. These include: Health and safety executive, Financial conduct authority, Food standards agency, Serious fraud office and Office of fair trading.

Figure 13 Government agencies

An individual or organisation can bring a private prosecution. Some organisations, including the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), regularly investigate and bring private prosecutions. Private prosecutions by individuals are unusual: bringing a prosecution is costly and difficult.

Activity 7 Match the crime to the investigator/prosecutor

Timing: Allow 10 minutes

Match each crime to the agency who would investigate and prosecute it.

Using the following two lists, match each numbered item with the correct letter.

  1. Breach of health and safety regulations

  2. Causing unnecessary suffering to an animal

  3. Insider-dealing in shares

  4. Breach of food hygiene regulations

  5. Conspiracy to commit a complex fraud

  • a.Financial Conduct Agency

  • b.Food Standards Agency

  • c.Serious Fraud Office

  • d.Health and Safety Executive

  • e.RSPCA

The correct answers are:
  • 1 = d
  • 2 = e
  • 3 = a
  • 4 = b
  • 5 = c

Comment

This activity illustrates how these agencies bring prosecutions only for specific offences related to their particular responsibilities.