The Victim & Witness Information Partnership is now dealing with more victims and witness than ever. Since the implementation of the Victims Code of Practice in April 2006, the number of Witness Care Officers within the unit has increased from 6 to 8.
The unit is therefore able to deal with a greater quantity of witnesses and offer a more qualitative service as a result of the Codes and the national rollout of the No Witness No Justice (NWNJ) programme.
More victims and witnesses are being offered, and taking advantage of, pre-trial visits. This builds confidence in witnesses required to give live evidence in court in that they know where exactly to go, what the court layout is like and what they are likely to encounter in terms of cross examination by prosecution and defence.
The confidence gained by witnesses improves the quality of their evidence and, consequently, the potential for a successful prosecution.
Since the rollout of the NWNJ programme, every police force area in England and Wales has at least one Witness Care Unit (WCU). There are currently 165 WCU's nationally with VIP being the sole unit for Warwickshire.
During the summer of 2006, VIP was the first WCU to be signed-off by the national NWNJ Project Team and handed to the full control and responsibility of Warwickshire's Local Criminal Justice Board. This means that VIP had reached a sufficient standard of support and care for victims and witnesses when set against the national requirement of minimum standards.
The NWNJ programme's 7 objectives for supporting victims and witnesses involved in the criminal justice system are:-
- Victims and witnesses must be provided with, or have easy access to good quality information about the criminal justice system (CJS) and other support available from both local and national sources, and their own case.
- Victims and witnesses receive a consistently high quality service from CJS staff.
- Ensuring victims and witnesses who require practical and emotional help are offered relevant services.
- Taking victims views into account - Victim Personal Statements (VPS).
- The needs of vulnerable and intimidated witnesses are identified and met, and witness intimidation is tackled.
- Improving the experience of victims and witnesses going to court.
- The needs of victims of domestic violence are met and repeat victimisation is tackled.
- VIP cannot complete this extensive requirement itself, and relies on the hard work and quality of operational officers and support staff.
It is a testament to the quality of Warwickshire Police, and all of its staff, that VIP's local survey is indicating that 84% of the customers the unit deals with are satisfied or very satisfied with the CJS in Warwickshire and 94% are similarly satisfied with VIP's service.
- will see the implementation of the Witness Codes of Practice. Much of what support is currently given to victims will apply to witnesses. However, VIP is making all attempts to include all witnesses in their dealings from the earliest opportunity.
VIP presently attempts to contact all victims of crime entered into the CJS prior to first court appearance. VIP's support service is outlined to victims, especially ensuring that they are kept informed of the progression of the case.
Witnesses are contacted, generally, after first court appearance and at a time where there may be a requirement for support, dependant on the circumstances of the crime and the evidence they might give in a trial situation. However, this contact will be brought forward under the anticipated Witness Codes.
Approximately 70% of cases entering the Magistrates' Court are dealt with at a very early stage due to guilty pleas.