Victims of crime

If you have been affected by crime, you can get information, support and help to take part in the criminal justice process. You do not have to report a crime to use victim support services.

This guide explains what you can expect from the police, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), courts and other services. It is general information, not legal advice.

If you need help now

See GOV.UK: report a crime, GOV.UK: get support as a victim of crime and GOV.UK: victim and witness services.

What has changed?

This updated guide is organised around the Victims’ Code. It explains how to get support and case updates, make a victim personal statement, ask for help with giving evidence, raise safety concerns, understand compensation and release information, request a review of a police or CPS decision, and complain about services. It also corrects information about witness attendance, court arrangements and the Victim Contact Scheme.

Your rights under the Victims’ Code

The Victims’ Code sets minimum standards for services provided to victims in England and Wales. It covers information, support, safety, giving evidence, expenses, property, compensation, court outcomes, appeals, post conviction information and complaints.

You may have Enhanced Rights if you are under 18, are vulnerable or intimidated, have been repeatedly targeted, or are a victim of a serious crime. This can mean faster information, specialist referrals and extra consideration of the support you need.

Ask the police, CPS or Witness Care Unit whether you have Enhanced Rights. You do not need to work out the legal definition yourself.

Getting updates about the case

The police should tell you how and when you will receive updates, and how to contact them. As the case progresses, information may come from the police, CPS or Witness Care Unit.

Tell them how you prefer to be contacted. Say if you need information in another language, accessible format or through a support worker.

If the police or CPS make an important decision about the case, they should explain the decision and tell you about any available review process. The Victims’ Code contains the expected timeframes for information and updates.

Making a victim personal statement

A victim personal statement explains how the crime has affected you physically, emotionally, financially or in other ways. It is different from a witness statement about what happened.

The court can consider the statement when deciding sentence. You can say whether you would like it read aloud, read by someone else or, where appropriate, played in court. The judge or magistrates decide what can be read or played and by whom.

Your statement usually becomes part of the court papers, so the defendant will usually be able to read it. You may be asked questions about it if it is relevant.

Ask the police, Witness Care Unit or a support service for help. See GOV.UK: victim personal statement.

If you need to attend court

You may be asked to give evidence if you saw, heard or experienced something relevant to the case. The police, CPS or Witness Care Unit should tell you whether you need to attend.

If you receive a formal order requiring you to attend, called a witness summons, do not ignore it. If you cannot attend, contact the person named in your letter straight away and get advice if needed.

Before travelling, check that the hearing is still going ahead. Take your hearing letter and any documents you have been asked to bring. Allow extra time for court security.

When you arrive, ask for the Witness Service, an usher or the contact you have agreed with the court. If separate waiting, entry or exit arrangements have been agreed, tell staff as soon as you arrive.

Do not assume that you need to sit through the whole hearing. Ask before you leave after giving evidence.

If you are worried about giving evidence

Tell the police, Witness Care Unit or CPS as early as possible. They should assess whether you may need support to give your best evidence.

The prosecution may ask the court for special measures. These can include a screen, a live video link, help from an intermediary, communication aids, evidence in private, regular breaks or other arrangements. The court decides whether to allow them.

An intermediary is a communication specialist who may help a person understand questions and take part effectively.

When giving evidence:

See GOV.UK: extra protection in the courtroom and Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, sections 16 and 17.

Safety, privacy and avoiding contact with the defendant

If you are worried about seeing the defendant, their family or supporters, tell the prosecution contact, Witness Care Unit or court staff before the hearing. Ask about separate waiting, entry and exit arrangements.

If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If there are new threats, unwanted contact or intimidation, report this to the police.

Court hearings are usually public, but reporting restrictions or anonymity rules may apply. Do not share court papers, post about evidence on social media, discuss evidence with other witnesses, or contact the defendant or their legal team about the case. If you are approached by a journalist or are worried about online posts, ask the CPS, Witness Care Unit or a legal adviser for case specific guidance before sharing information.

After the trial or sentence

The court may find the defendant guilty or not guilty. The case may also change or end in other ways, for example if a guilty plea is entered, the prosecution stops the case, or a jury cannot reach a verdict.

If the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty, sentencing may happen that day or at a later hearing. You should be told about the outcome and, where relevant, about any appeal.

Compensation and restorative justice

The criminal court may order compensation for personal injury, loss or damage caused by the offence. You may need to provide receipts, repair estimates or other information about financial loss. A compensation order is not guaranteed and depends on the case and the defendant’s means.

Other routes may also be available, including the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme for eligible victims of violent crime and a separate civil claim. See GOV.UK: compensation in the justice system.

Restorative justice gives a victim the option to communicate with the person responsible, where it is safe and appropriate. It may involve a meeting, letter, video or another form of communication. Taking part is voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time. Ask the police, probation service or a victim support organisation about local options.

Information after sentence or release

If someone is convicted of a specified violent or sexual offence and receives 12 months or more in prison, you or an eligible bereaved relative may be referred to the Victim Contact Scheme.

A Victim Liaison Officer can explain sentence changes, parole and release information, and how to ask for licence conditions such as no contact. You can choose whether to take part.

If a prisoner contacts you when they should not, or you are worried about contact from someone in prison, contact the HMPPS Victims Helpline on 0300 060 6699 or email [email protected]. The helpline operates Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 16:00. Check GOV.UK: get support as a victim of crime for the current service information.

If the police or CPS decide not to continue the case

You may be able to ask for a review of a police or CPS decision not to charge, not to prosecute or to stop a prosecution. This is called the Victims’ Right to Review.

Different processes apply to police and CPS decisions. A CPS review request should ideally be made within 10 working days of the decision. Do not delay.

See CPS: victim service standards.

If you think a Crown Court sentence is unduly lenient

This is not a defendant appeal. Anyone can ask the Attorney General’s Office to consider certain eligible Crown Court sentences that may be unduly lenient.

The request must be made by 11:59 pm on the 28th calendar day after sentencing. Only some offences qualify. See GOV.UK: ask for a Crown Court sentence review.

If a service has not treated you properly

A complaint about poor treatment, communication or support is different from asking for a prosecution decision to be reviewed.

Raise the issue with the police, CPS, Witness Care Unit or another service provider first, if you feel able to do so. If it is not resolved, use that organisation’s formal complaints process.

For a CPS service complaint, see CPS: feedback and complaints. If a problem under the Victims’ Code remains unresolved, you may be able to ask an MP to refer it to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

Key points to remember

Official sources and support

This guide provides general information, not legal advice. If you need advice about your own case, speak to a qualified solicitor or barrister.