Code of Practice for Victims of Crime

The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime aims to make a victim's journey through the criminal justice process easier and clearer. It also outlines the support and information available to you at each stage of the process.

Support on offer

Under the Victims' Code, support for victims of crime includes:

  • Being kept informed about the police investigation into the crime, including if a suspect is arrested or charged
  • If a suspect is bailed, their bail conditions must be explained to you. This also includes if their conditions change
  • Being informed of what to expect if you need to give evidence in court, including the help and support on offer to you through the Witness Care Unit
  • The ability to apply for special measures in court. This is to help you give your best evidence if you are under 18 or an adult who is vulnerable or intimidated
  • Being able to join the Victim Contact Scheme. This means you will be told when an offender will be released, should they have been sentenced to a year or more in prison for a violent or sexual offence against you
  • Having the ability to apply for compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme
  • Receiving information about Restorative Justice. This allows the victim to sit down with the offender and explain the impact the crime has had on the victim
  • Being able to complain if you don’t receive what you should under the Victims' Code. You also have the right for your complaint to be handled professionally and quickly

Advice and Guidance

If you have been a victim of business crime then please complete this Business Impact Statement and email it back to the officer dealing with your investigation.

If you do not have details of the investigating officer, please contact us, quote your crime number and our staff will find out for you.

Find out more about the support you can expect. You can also view an easy read version of the leaflet.

You can download a full copy of the Victims' Code, or find out more.

We also have put together guides for different people and stages of the criminal justice process. View a guide for: 

 

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