B 2500 Policy - Victims and Witnesses

Number: B 2500
Date Published: 3 June 2025
Version 4 – June 2025

1.0 Summary of Changes

• [REDACTED TEXT]

2.0 What this Policy is About

This policy explains how Essex Police will provide a service to all victims and witnesses involved in a police investigation.

It is linked to:

• College of Policing Approved Professional Practice (APP); Victim and witness care (college.police.uk);
• Code of Practice for Victims of Crime 2020 (Victims’ Code);
• College of Policing Guidance; Victims' Code for policing | College of Policing;
• Witness Charter - December 2013; The Witness Charter: standards of care for witnesses in the criminal justice system - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk);
• [REDACTED TEXT].
• Code of Ethics;
• Essex Police Diversity Equality and Inclusion Strategy 2023-2026

Compliance with this policy and any linked procedures is mandatory.

3.0 Statement of Policy

This policy seeks to support Essex Police to deliver a high-quality service to all victims and witnesses.

It underpins the force’s commitment and priorities to support victims, protect the most vulnerable and tackle violent crime set out in the Force Plan.

Putting victims first and providing the very best service in every single interaction will help maintain trust and confidence in the force. The approach of every police officer and staff member matters.

Every victim/witness has the right to be treated with respect, dignity, sensitivity, compassion, and courtesy.

Essex Police will ensure:

• Each victim is informed about their rights set out in the Victims Code.
• Each victim is offered a referral to victim support services to help them cope and recover from the impact of crime.
• Each victim has their needs assessed to identify those who are vulnerable or intimidated, persistently targeted, or victims of the most serious crimes. Identifying those eligible to access enhanced services under the Victims Code.

3.1 Victims’ Rights

The Victims Code sets out in 12 overarching rights, the minimum level of service victims can expect to receive from the Police and other Criminal Justice agencies:

1. To be able to understand and to be understood;
2. To have the details of the crime recorded without unjustified delay;
3. To be provided with information when reporting the crime;
4. To be referred to services that support victims and have services and support tailored to your needs;
5. To be provided with information about compensation;
6. To be provided with information about the investigation and prosecution;
7. To make a Victim Personal Statement;
8. To be given information about the trial, trial process and your role as a witness;
9. To be given information about the outcome of the case and any appeals;
10.To be paid expenses and have property returned;
11.To be given information about the offender following a conviction;
12.To make a complaint about your rights not being met.

The Code is applicable to all criminal offences. Which rights apply will depend on the status of the investigation, as well as the victim’s personal needs and circumstances.

Those who are assessed as vulnerable or intimidated, persistently targeted or a victim of the most serious crime1 (including bereaved close relatives) are eligible for enhanced rights which may include a referral to a specialist support service. This ensures swifter contact following key decisions and allowing access to special measures.

Officers and staff who engage with victims have a responsibility to deliver the services and standards set out in the Victims Code.

The Essex Police Force Victim’s Board will monitor performance and compliance with the Victims Code.

3.2 Governance

The overarching strategy of the Force Victim’s Board is to ensure that victims and witnesses are a primary focus in line with the Force Plan.

Its aim and objectives are:

• To ensure governance is provided to support the Gold strategy through an Essex Police Victim and Witness Action Group;
• To work with the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) National and Regional Victim/Witness Groups to inform local activity and share good practice;
• To monitor force performance of the Victims Code 2020 in Essex Police and with partners;
• To understand the needs of victims and witnesses through community engagement plans, local focus groups and victim consultation whilst managing their expectations;
• To work cohesively with partners to enable a joined-up approach to victim and witness care where their needs are met by the agency best placed to support them;
• To ensure that data and information is captured to enable safeguarding of victims and witnesses and ensure the best outcome is shared lawfully, expediently, securely within the force and amongst partner agencies.

1 As defined within the Victims Code 2020

4.0 Implications of the Policy

4.1 Finance / Staffing / Training / Other

There are no additional financial implications associated with this policy.

Additional support for victims and witnesses is delivered in accordance with need.

Associated costs (such as interpreters, specialist support and staff training) incurred by the implementation of this policy will be met through existing budgets and partnerships.

Essex Police will ensure that resource levels are monitored to enable them to respond in a timely and professional manner to victim and witness needs and that staff have sufficient skills to undertake the role they are required to perform.

Essex Police will ensure all investigators have access to current investigative knowledge and updates that arise from legislative or procedural change, identified good or effective practice, and developments in forensic or other investigative support capability. Similarly, Witness Care staff will receive continuing professional development.

4.2 Risk Assessment(s)

Risks associated with this policy are confined to those affecting the reputation of Essex Police brought about by a failure to implement the provisions within this policy.

This procedure states that compliance is mandatory.

Non-compliance with the policy reduces the ability of the force to identify and categorise risk effectively and manage and mitigate risk, potentially reducing the ability to forecast and identify emerging risk themes and impact upon operational capacity and capability. It may also reduce overall quality and standards and expose the force to management actions through external audit.

Furthermore, failure to comply with the policy may lead to consequences of non-compliance for the individual may mean they are subject to disciplinary processes / outcomes and the implications for the force may range from operational, legal, financial or reputational.

Non-compliance with the procedure reduces the ability of the force to:

• Provide an effective and efficient service to all victims and witnesses involved in a police investigation.
• Ensure adherence to legal and regulatory standards, which could result in legal liabilities and penalties.
• Uphold the overall quality and standard of investigations, services and outcomes for victims.

Furthermore, failure to comply with the procedure may lead to:

• Management intervention, with the ultimate sanction of disciplinary processes and outcomes for the individual, which could include warnings, suspension, or termination of employment.

4.3 Equality Impact Assessment

• EIA – June 2025

5.0 Consultation

The following have been consulted during the formulation of this document:

• Unison
• Police Federation
• Essex Diversity and Inclusion Manager
• Health & Safety
• Head of Operational Change
• PSD D/Superintendent
• Risk
• Policy
• Superintendents Association
• Strategic Force Crime & Incident Registrar
• DPO/Temp Head of Info Management
• Athena
• Force Victim’s Board

6.0 Monitoring and Review

This policy will be monitored by the Victim Services Manager, who will ensure that the content is reviewed every 3 years to ensure it remains compliant with legislation and contains best practice for supporting victims and witnesses.

7.0 Related Force Policies or Related Procedures

• B 0602 Procedure – Investigation of Crime
• B 2502 Procedure – Victim Right to Review (VRR)
• B 2505 Procedure - Dealing with Vulnerable and Intimidated Witnesses within the Criminal Justice System

7.1 Data Security

Essex Police have measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management Policy – W 1000 Policy – Information Management.

7.2 Retention & Disposal of Records

Essex Police will hold data in accordance with our Records Review, Retention & Disposal Policy – W 1012 Procedure/SOP - Records Review, Retention and Disposal.

We will only hold data for as long as necessary for the purposes for which we collected. Victims/public should be reminded that Essex Police take the protection of personal data seriously as described in the [REDACTED TEXT]

8.0 Other Source Documents, e.g. Legislation, Authorised Professional Practice (APP), Partnership Agreements (if applicable)

• Authorised Professional Practice – Investigation – Working with victims and witnesses
• Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (2020)
• Witness Charter
• The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
• College of Policing – Working with Victims and Witnesses
• The Human Rights Act 1998
• The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999
• The Force Plan