Police should be given power to charge suspects, say senior officers in England

‘Officers want it, victims want it, defence lawyers want it, and we are sure the courts do too.’ Stephen Watson, chief constable of Greater Manchester police. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

The police, rather than independent prosecution lawyers, should have the power to charge suspects in most cases, three senior police chiefs have said, as they warned of a deepening crisis in the justice system.

The controversial change is being called for by the chief constables of the West Midlands, Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire forces, respectively the second, third and fourth biggest in England after the Met, the Guardian has learned.