Victims of Crime in Herts
Victims of Crime in Herts
Victims of Crime in Herts
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3<br />
<strong>Victims</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Crime</strong> –<br />
support and advice<br />
<strong>in</strong> Hertfordshire<br />
The police will pass <strong>in</strong>formation<br />
about you to Victim Support so that<br />
they can <strong>of</strong>fer you help and support,<br />
unless you ask the police not to.<br />
The police will update you about<br />
your case on at least a monthly basis,<br />
and tell you if someone is arrested,<br />
bailed or cautioned <strong>in</strong> connection<br />
with your case, unless you ask<br />
them not to.<br />
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM<br />
www.cjsonl<strong>in</strong>e.gov.uk
<strong>Victims</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Crime</strong> – support and advice<br />
First <strong>of</strong> all, thank you for report<strong>in</strong>g the crime to the police. Report<strong>in</strong>g crime<br />
is an essential first step <strong>in</strong> br<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong>fenders to justice.<br />
This leaflet expla<strong>in</strong>s what will happen now.<br />
The Crim<strong>in</strong>al Justice System website at www.cjsonl<strong>in</strong>e.gov.uk conta<strong>in</strong>s more<br />
<strong>in</strong>formation for victims <strong>of</strong> crime, such as specific sections on ‘Help and Support’<br />
and ‘Go<strong>in</strong>g to Court’.<br />
The police<br />
Now you have reported a crime to the police, they will decide what to do next.<br />
For example, they may beg<strong>in</strong> an <strong>in</strong>vestigation to try to solve the crime.<br />
Wherever possible, you should:<br />
> give them as much <strong>in</strong>formation as you can about the <strong>of</strong>fence, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g what<br />
happened and what you saw and heard;<br />
> tell them if you are worried about your own or your family’s safety or your<br />
privacy – there is support available if you are feel<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>timidated (see below);<br />
> tell them if the crime was made worse by abuse or hate related to race,<br />
sexuality, religion or disability; and<br />
> let them know <strong>of</strong> any specific needs you have that would help the police<br />
provide the best service they can – for example, religious requirements<br />
or a health problem.<br />
The police will give you contact details so that, if you need to contact them aga<strong>in</strong><br />
after mak<strong>in</strong>g your statement, or if you feel your rights under the Code <strong>of</strong> Practice<br />
for <strong>Victims</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Crime</strong> have not been met (see below), you can talk to someone<br />
who is already familiar with your situation.These contact details will <strong>in</strong>clude:<br />
Name <strong>of</strong> the police station<br />
Ma<strong>in</strong> telephone number <strong>of</strong><br />
the police station<br />
Name <strong>of</strong> the <strong>of</strong>ficer deal<strong>in</strong>g<br />
with your case<br />
Rank and number <strong>of</strong> the <strong>of</strong>ficer<br />
deal<strong>in</strong>g with your case<br />
<strong>Crime</strong> reference number<br />
Telephone number <strong>of</strong> the<br />
crime desk (if there is one)<br />
www.cjsonl<strong>in</strong>e.gov.uk
Keep these details handy.You should contact the police aga<strong>in</strong> if, for example:<br />
you remember more details about the <strong>in</strong>cident; you f<strong>in</strong>d that there was more<br />
loss or damage than you first thought result<strong>in</strong>g from the <strong>in</strong>cident; or you were<br />
hurt dur<strong>in</strong>g the crime and the <strong>in</strong>juries now seem more serious than they did<br />
at the time.<br />
You should also tell the police if you change your address or telephone number<br />
so that they can let you know if someone has been arrested, bailed or cautioned<br />
<strong>in</strong> connection with the <strong>of</strong>fence.<br />
What happens next<br />
The police will decide whether there is sufficient <strong>in</strong>formation to <strong>in</strong>vestigate the<br />
crime.This may <strong>in</strong>volve tak<strong>in</strong>g statements and speak<strong>in</strong>g to witnesses or do<strong>in</strong>g<br />
forensic tests.Whatever happens, you will be told whether or not the crime<br />
is be<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>vestigated further or if the <strong>in</strong>vestigation is closed and the reason why.<br />
You will be told if a suspect is arrested, charged, bailed or the subject <strong>of</strong> an<br />
out-<strong>of</strong>-court resolution such as a caution or reprimand. If the <strong>of</strong>fender is<br />
identified and is under 18 years <strong>of</strong> age, you may be contacted by the Youth<br />
Offend<strong>in</strong>g Team about participat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a restorative process.<br />
Go<strong>in</strong>g to court<br />
If your case goes to court the follow<strong>in</strong>g will happen:<br />
> you will be contacted by a Witness Care Unit.They will be your s<strong>in</strong>gle po<strong>in</strong>t<br />
<strong>of</strong> contact throughout the crim<strong>in</strong>al justice process, provide you with practical<br />
support and give you the <strong>in</strong>formation you need; and<br />
> if you are required to give evidence, you will be <strong>of</strong>fered support from Victim<br />
Support’s Witness Service, which is confidential and free.<br />
The Code <strong>of</strong> Practice for <strong>Victims</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Crime</strong><br />
<strong>Victims</strong> <strong>of</strong> crime are entitled to m<strong>in</strong>imum standards <strong>of</strong> service from the<br />
Crim<strong>in</strong>al Justice System under the Code <strong>of</strong> Practice for <strong>Victims</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Crime</strong>.<br />
These standards <strong>in</strong>clude:<br />
> the right to be referred to Victim Support (see below) or given <strong>in</strong>formation<br />
about the types <strong>of</strong> support available <strong>in</strong> your area;<br />
> the right to be kept <strong>in</strong>formed <strong>of</strong> the progress <strong>of</strong> your case on a m<strong>in</strong>imum<br />
<strong>of</strong> a monthly basis and to be told when there has been a major development<br />
<strong>in</strong> your case, such as an arrest or a charge;
the right to be told if a charge is withdrawn or there is a major change<br />
to the charge;<br />
> the right to be told the dates <strong>of</strong> court hear<strong>in</strong>gs and to be told if you<br />
will be needed as a witness; and<br />
> the right to be <strong>in</strong>formed about the outcome <strong>of</strong> the case <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g, if the<br />
<strong>of</strong>fender is found guilty, <strong>in</strong>formation about the sentence given and any appeals.<br />
If you do not receive the level <strong>of</strong> service set out <strong>in</strong> the Code <strong>of</strong> Practice, you can<br />
make a compla<strong>in</strong>t. For more <strong>in</strong>formation about the Code <strong>of</strong> Practice for <strong>Victims</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Crime</strong>, and for <strong>in</strong>formation on how to make a compla<strong>in</strong>t or provide feedback<br />
on the service you receive, ask the police for a copy <strong>of</strong> the leaflet ‘Code <strong>of</strong><br />
Practice: Guide for <strong>Victims</strong>’, or have a look at the website www.cjsonl<strong>in</strong>e.gov.uk<br />
Compensation<br />
Crim<strong>in</strong>al Injuries Compensation Scheme<br />
If you have been <strong>in</strong>jured <strong>in</strong> a violent crime, you can apply for a payment under the<br />
Crim<strong>in</strong>al Injuries Compensation Scheme. For more <strong>in</strong>formation on the scheme, ask<br />
for the leaflet ‘<strong>Victims</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Crime</strong>s <strong>of</strong> Violence – A Guide to the Crim<strong>in</strong>al Injuries<br />
Compensation Scheme’.You can get this from the police, from Victim Support, from<br />
your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau, or from the Crim<strong>in</strong>al Injuries Compensation<br />
Authority (telephone: 0800 358 3601; website: www.cica.gov.uk).<br />
Motor Insurers’ Bureau<br />
If you suffer <strong>in</strong>jury, loss, or damage to property as a result <strong>of</strong> a road traffic<br />
<strong>in</strong>cident <strong>in</strong>volv<strong>in</strong>g a motor vehicle, you will normally be eligible for a payment<br />
made by the vehicle owner’s <strong>in</strong>surance company. If the vehicle is un<strong>in</strong>sured, you<br />
may be able to claim compensation from the Motor Insurers’ Bureau. If the police<br />
have not traced the <strong>of</strong>fender, only personal <strong>in</strong>jury compensation may be available.<br />
To claim, or to f<strong>in</strong>d out more, contact the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (telephone:<br />
01908 830001; website: www.mib.org.uk).<br />
Protection aga<strong>in</strong>st crime and harassment<br />
The police can <strong>of</strong>fer free crime prevention advice.You may also f<strong>in</strong>d helpful<br />
<strong>in</strong>formation <strong>in</strong> the Home Office crime prevention guide ‘Your Practical Guide<br />
to <strong>Crime</strong> Prevention’.Ask the police for a copy.<br />
It is a crim<strong>in</strong>al <strong>of</strong>fence to make another person fear that violence will be used<br />
www.cjsonl<strong>in</strong>e.gov.uk
aga<strong>in</strong>st them. It is also an <strong>of</strong>fence to make someone afraid by, for example,<br />
‘stalk<strong>in</strong>g’. If you have suffered harassment or fear <strong>of</strong> violence and the <strong>of</strong>fender<br />
has been caught and convicted, the crim<strong>in</strong>al court can make a restra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g order<br />
to stop them com<strong>in</strong>g near you to threaten you or make you afraid.You can also<br />
ask a civil court for an <strong>in</strong>junction to stop someone’s threaten<strong>in</strong>g behaviour.<br />
Support and advice <strong>in</strong> Hertfordshire<br />
For an overview <strong>of</strong> local support organisations available please visit<br />
www.herts.police.uk.<br />
Victim Support<br />
East (cover<strong>in</strong>g North <strong>Herts</strong>, Stevenage, East <strong>Herts</strong> and Broxbourne):<br />
telephone 01992 504137<br />
Central (cover<strong>in</strong>g Welwyn and Hatfield, St Albans and <strong>Herts</strong>mere):<br />
telephone 01707 354626<br />
West (cover<strong>in</strong>g Watford, Dacorum and Three Rivers): telephone 01923 212766<br />
Witness Service<br />
East (cover<strong>in</strong>g Stevenage, Hertford and Cheshunt Magistrates’ Courts):<br />
telephone 01438 311771<br />
Central (cover<strong>in</strong>g St Albans Crown Court and Magistrates’ Court):<br />
telephone 01727 753288<br />
West (cover<strong>in</strong>g Watford and Hemel Magistrates’ Courts):<br />
telephone 01442 239382<br />
Hertfordshire County Council<br />
The County Council may be able to help you with neighbourhood and hous<strong>in</strong>g<br />
issues.They will also <strong>of</strong>fer support if you have been a victim <strong>of</strong> a hate crime.<br />
Please contact Hertfordshire County Council, County Hall, Pegs Lane,<br />
Hertford SG13 4DE, telephone 01992 555555 (ask for the <strong>Crime</strong><br />
Reduction Unit).<br />
Domestic violence<br />
Domestic Violence/Abuse L<strong>in</strong>e – telephone 08088 088 088 (Monday to<br />
Friday between 10am and 8pm)<br />
The Sunflower Centre – a multi-agency one-stop shop provid<strong>in</strong>g advice<br />
to victims <strong>of</strong> domestic violence. It has two branches:<br />
Hemel Hempstead: telephone 01442 270679<br />
Watford: telephone 01923 215180<br />
www.cjsonl<strong>in</strong>e.gov.uk
Local drug and alcohol support organisations<br />
HAPAS (Hertfordshire Alcohol Problems Advisory Service),<br />
22 Prospect Place,Welwyn Garden City AL6 9EN, telephone 01438 841241, email:<br />
general@hapas.org<br />
Parental Drug Awareness Service, Ludwick Family Club,<br />
Hallgrove Road,Welwyn Garden City,AL7 4PH, telephone 01707 393934,<br />
email: pdas@bt<strong>in</strong>ternet.com<br />
The Switch Project – a multi-agency project provid<strong>in</strong>g advice and<br />
support to people with drug problems – telephone 01727 796302,<br />
email: <strong>in</strong>fo@seagrovehealthcare.com<br />
Help from Victim Support<br />
You may be affected by crime emotionally or physically and <strong>in</strong> many different or<br />
unpredictable ways.These feel<strong>in</strong>gs are common.Victim Support is the national<br />
<strong>in</strong>dependent charity for people affected by crime. It provides a free and confidential<br />
service.Tra<strong>in</strong>ed staff and volunteers <strong>of</strong>fer <strong>in</strong>formation, support and practical help.<br />
You can contact the Victim Supportl<strong>in</strong>e on 0845 30 30 900.<br />
Or, if you prefer, you can write to the Victim Supportl<strong>in</strong>e at:<br />
PO Box 11431, London SW9 6ZH<br />
Further <strong>in</strong>formation about the help available to you as a victim <strong>of</strong> crime can also be<br />
found at www.cjsonl<strong>in</strong>e.gov.uk<br />
If you are not sure about anyth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> this leaflet, or how to get the help<br />
and support that is available to you, ask your local police for advice.<br />
The national version <strong>of</strong> this leaflet is available <strong>in</strong> large pr<strong>in</strong>t and Braille versions, as well as<br />
<strong>in</strong> a number <strong>of</strong> different languages.Ask the police if you would like an alternative version.<br />
Produced by the Office for Crim<strong>in</strong>al Justice Reform. March 2006<br />
Order code VOC/HERTS File ref: 273070<br />
www.cjsonl<strong>in</strong>e.gov.uk