Victims of Crime
Code of Practice for Victims of Crime
The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime [opens in new window] was introduced in April 2006. The Code sets out the minimum level of service you should expect, as a victim of crime in England and Wales, from a range of organisations, including:
- youth offending teams (YOTs)
- the Prison Service
- the Crown Prosecution Service
- Her Majesty’s Courts Service
- all police forces for police areas in England and Wales, the British Transport Police and the Ministry of Defence Police, and the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC)
- the Probation Service.
The Code states that victims can expect:
- a dedicated family liaison police officer assigned to bereaved relatives
- clear information from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) on whether compensation can be paid
- to be told about Victim Support and either referred to them or offered their service (except in the case of certain offences, e.g. car theft and minor criminal damage)
- an enhanced service for vulnerable or intimidated victims, including all victims under 17 years
- access to information on support services in victims’ local areas
- for certain serious offences where the custody sentence is one year or more information about offender release and consultation on licence release conditions
- information on complaints procedure if service providers do not deliver their obligations.
Click to download a victims guide to the Code [opens in new window] from the Home Office’s website. This guide sets out your rights under the Code in more detail, as well as telling you what you can expect from each of the criminal justice agencies after becoming a victim of crime. There is also information about how to complain if you don’t feel you have received the support, information and advice set out in the guide.