The conviction rate of serious offenders in Essex's crown courts is significantly below the national average, according to a new report.

The figures are revealed in the latest inspection of the county's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which has been rated as poor for the second time in a row.

The report, by Her Majesty's CPS Inspectorate, said conviction rates had improved both in magistrates' and crown courts since the last inspection in 2005.

However, it said more needed to be done at crown courts - where more serious offenders are dealt with - which had a 74.5 per cent conviction rate, compared to a national average of 77.3 per cent.

On a more positive note, overall conviction rates are at 84.2 per cent, higher than the national average of 83.9 per cent.

The service was also praised for dealing appropriately with sensitive cases, including homicide, rape, and child abuse, and was found to have a good working relationship with police.

But the inspectors criticised the limited analysis by the service of why a case had failed.

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