Victims and witnesses

Without the help of victims and witnesses, it can be difficult for us to achieve a successful prosecution and bring an offender to justice.That's why the work of the Witness Care Units (WCUs) is crucial.

Witness Care Units were set up in 2005 as a joint venture by the police and the CPS to support victims and witnesses through these processes. In 2011 the WCUs were placed solely under police control, but the CPS continues to work closely with them.

Witness Care Officers (WCOs) act as the single point of contact for a witness throughout the case. Once someone is charged with an offence, every victim and witness is allocated a Witness Care Officer to support and guide them through the court process.

The WCO will address the witnesses' specific needs, arranging where appropriate transport, childcare and expenses. They will keep the witness updated on their case and explain the court processes in a way they can understand.

We appreciate that the process can be daunting, especially if you've never encountered the criminal justice system before. For answers to some of the frequently asked questions, click on the following link: FAQs.

The Witness and Victim Experience Survey (WAVES) is a national telephone survey of victims and prosecution witnesses involved in cases that have resulted in a criminal charge. The survey was introduced by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform (OCJR) in 2005 to provide information at local (Local Criminal Justice Board; LCJB) and national level (England and Wales) about victims and witnesses experiences, the services they receive and their satisfaction with different aspects of the system.

You can read a report on the WAVES survey by clicking on the following link: WAVES report