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Help for the Victims of Crime

Witness Care Units

Witness care units are the single point of contact for victims and witnesses from charging a suspect with a crime to the end of the case. Your named witness care officer will be responsible for keeping you informed of the progress of the case and supporting you.

Find out more about Witness Care Units

Victim Support

Victim Support volunteers are specially trained to help you and give you with practical advice. The police are required to refer all cases of burglary, theft, criminal damage, arson, assault, and racial harassment to Victim Support. If you don't want this to happen, tell the police officer dealing with your case.

Phone the Victim Support line: 0845 30 30 900

Visit the Victim Support Website

National Victims' Association

National Victims' Association provides advocacy, counselling and support services to the families of homicide victims.

Phone the National Victims' Association: 0191 423 210

Visit the National Victims' Association Website

Home » Victims and Witnesses » Reporting a crime » Keeping you informed

Keeping you informed

Once a charge has been brought the police will pass your file on to your local Witness Care Unit. They ensure that victims and witnesses are kept at the centre of the criminal justice system. The Witness Care Unit manages the care of victims and witnesses from the point of charge through to the conclusion of a case. They are staffed jointly by representatives from the Police and The Crown Prosecution Service.

The Witness Care Unit will allocate you a dedicated Witness Care Officer. Your Witness Care Officer will act as your single point of contact and will keep you informed of the cases progress from the point of charging the suspect, to sentencing or acquitting the defendant.

Your Witness Care Officer will assess the needs of all victims and prosecution witnesses where defendants have pleaded not guilty. This helps to identify specific support requirements, such as child care, transport, language difficulties, medical issues and to highlight areas of concern, for example if you feel that you may be subject to intimidation.

They will continuously review your needs throughout the duration of the case. They will also, along with volunteers from Victim Support, provide practical and emotional support.

Video clips

Debbie Hewlett, Unit Head of the Witness Care Unit in Avon and Somerset

In these video clips Debbie Hewlett explains how Witness Care Units were formed and the role they play in supporting witnesses.

Debbie, can you explain to us what you do?

Click play below for video or read the first section of the transcript.

Witness Care Unit video 1

How does the Witness Care Unit ensure that the victims and witnesses are cared for? How do you make a difference?

Click play below for video or read the second section of the transcript.

Witness Care Unit video 2

Can you give use and example of a successful case?

Click play below for video or read the third section of the transcript.

Witness Care Unit video 3

 

Legal obligation

Under The Code of Practice for Victims Of Crime, which came into force on 3 April 2006, the Witness Care Unit has a legal obligation to:

  • tell you if you will be required to give evidence;
  • tell you the dates of the court hearings;
  • give you a copy of the 'Witness in court' leaflet or other relevant leaflet, if you are required to give evidence
  • tell you about court results and explain any sentence given within one day of receiving the outcome from the court