“Whoever the victim, and whatever the crime, we will always put them first and give the best possible support, care and advice”

Are you a victim or witness

What is a crime?

A crime is a deliberate act that causes physical or psychological harm, damage to or loss of property, and is against the law.

What is a victim?

You are considered a victim of crime if you have suffered physical injury, emotional injury or financial loss because of a crime.

Persistently targeted victims are victims who have been targeted repeatedly as a direct victim of crime over a period of time, particularly if they have been deliberately targeted.

Vulnerable or intimidated victims – If you are under the age of 18 at the time of the offence; or if it is considered that the quality of evidence given by the victim is likely to be diminished by reason of;

  1. suffering from mental disorder within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1983
  2. having a significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning
  3. having a physical disability or suffering from a physical disorder

What is a witness?

Although informally a witness includes whoever perceived the event, in law, a witness is different from an informant. Victims of crime who are called as a witness have specific legal entitlements that are set out in the Victims’ Code.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OF A CRIME OR HAVE WITNESSED A CRIME, CALL THE POLICE.

CALL 999 IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER OR 101 IF YOU ARE SAFE AND IT IS NOT URGENT BUT YOU STILL WISH TO SPEAK TO THE POLICE