Witness Care
Each of our local teams in Wales has a dedicated Witness Care Unit, which supports victims and witnesses from the point an offender is charged right through to the completion of legal proceedings.
Witness Care Units are staffed by both CPS and police staff, and provide:
- Witness Care Officers, who act as a single point of contact for a victim or witness throughout the life of a case from the point of charge through any court proceedings that may follow. They will help individuals through the criminal justice process and coordinate support and services
- A full 'needs assessment' to identify exactly what help victims and witnesses require to ensure they can attend court. This could include practical difficulties such as provision of child care, transport, help with language difficulties, medical problems and areas of concern, including possible intimidation
- A continuous review of victim and witness needs throughout the case by the CPS and police
- Greater communication and contact with witnesses about cases including the case outcome or trial result.
Witness Care Units can also help vulnerable and intimidated witnesses to give evidence, via the use of 'special measures' such as arranging for witnesses to give evidence from behind a screen or via video link.
Contact Details
Dyfed-Powys Witness Care Unit: 01267 242114
Gwent Witness Care Unit: 01633 844500
North Wales Witness Care Unit: 01978 346064
South Wales Witness Care Unit: 02920 803949
