Improved service for victims and witnesses in Chesterfield

03/06/2005

Victims and witnesses of crime in Chesterfield will now receive specialist support and information following the introduction of a dedicated Witness Care Unit in the town.

The Unit has been set up as part of the No Witness, No justice project, a joint police / Crown Prosecution Service initiative that is being introduced in Derbyshire to improve the service received by victims and witnesses of crime.  The aim of the Unit is to ensure that victims and witnesses are better served by the criminal justice system from start to finish; from a crime being reported through to post-sentence support.

The Witness Care Unit will provide a single point of contact for victims and witnesses for the first time.  All witnesses will receive a needs assessment to identify any potential problems that may prevent them attending court to give evidence, such as childcare or transport problems, language difficulties, disabilities or particular concerns such as intimidation.  A team of Witness Care Officers co-ordinate the support offered to the witnesses and manage any referrals to other agencies, such as the Witness Service.  They provide updates about the progress of the case and at the end of the trial make sure that victims and witnesses are told about the result and sentencing, thanked for their help with the case and offered further support if they need it.

Brian Gunn, Chief Crown Prosecutor and Chair of Derbyshire CJB said, No Witness No Justice has the potential to transform the experiences of victims and witnesses in Derbyshire. 

"The project aims to increase witness attendance at court, improve trial outcomes and increase witness satisfaction as a whole.  We are working hard with the police to extend these benefits to victims and witnesses in Chesterfield.  The project is an important element in the new prosecution team approach, with prosecutors and police working together from the very beginning of a case to make sure key elements are in place, such as the right charge and good witness support, so that the case can proceed more smoothly once it reaches court."

The Unit is based at Chesterfield police station and will deal with all witnesses and victims from Chesterfield and the surrounding area.