What happens when I report a criminal offence?

Investigating crimes, catching criminals and protecting the customs is the police's principal job, but they also help victims and witnesses of crime.

Even if you don't report a crime as the victim, someone who saw what happened might practice, so information technology's probable that you will have to talk to constabulary after a crime.

If you do written report a offense the police volition explain what volition happen next. They should also give you lot the contact details of the police officer dealing with your instance and a crime reference number. Make a note of this number somewhere safe – you will need information technology if you want to contact the police again about the incident, or if you want to make an insurance or compensation merits.

Getting support

When you report a crime the police should also ask you if you lot are happy for your details to be passed to Victim Support. If y'all say yes, we will automatically get your contact information and cursory details about the criminal offence. Nosotros'll and so contact you to come across how we can help. If you don't want us to contact you, tell the police officeholder. You can modify your mind afterwards and you lot can contact the states directly at whatsoever time for assist and support.

Making a argument

Once a criminal offence has been reported, the police will beginning their investigation and try to detect bear witness. As the victim, they'll need to talk to y'all and collect every bit much information every bit possible and then that they tin can write upwards a statement. If y'all notice it hard or upsetting to talk to the police, you tin can ask for a break at any betoken.

Victim Personal Statement

After the interview, you will exist asked to read the argument and check that it is right. The police will so ask you to sign it. They should too give you the hazard to make a separate Victim Personal Statement – this is your adventure to say how the offense has afflicted you, and it will be taken into account during trial.

Getting evidence

The police may also need to collect bear witness from where the crime took identify, such every bit photos or fingerprints. If y'all've been injured in a fierce attack or suffered a sexual crime, the police will inquire you whether yous concord to accept a medical test. It'due south your conclusion, just remember that this may be an opportunity to become forensic evidence that can aid bring an attacker to justice.

Keeping you informed

Investigations tin can take some fourth dimension. The police will give you lot the name and phone number of the officer or 'crime desk' responsible for your case and volition keep you informed of developments – you can also contact the police by calling 101. Have your offense number ready so that they can place your case quickly.

What volition happen after the police investigation?

If the police find the person who committed the crime, there are a number of things that could happen.

Issuing a caution

The police may decide to caution the person (unless they are a young offender, in which case they may get a reprimand or terminal warning). With young offenders they may advise a restorative justice approach. This could include asking you if you want to attend a restorative briefing, where yous would meet the offender along with a trained restorative justice facilitator.

A restorative justice meeting is completely voluntary. Information technology can give y'all the chance to enquire the offender questions and tell them how their offense has affected you.

Taking the case to courtroom

The instance will go to court if the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decides that there is enough evidence and that information technology is in the public interest to prosecute the person defendant. The law do not decide the outcome of a case; they collect evidence and pass it to the CPS.

The CPS has to consider the impact the criminal offense has had on you, the victim, in making a conclusion virtually whether or non they should prosecute. Information technology should also take into account the views of your family. You tin can find out more than information on the CPS website.

Attention court as a witness

If the CPS does prosecute, and the defendant pleads guilty, yous won't have to get to courtroom.

But if the defendant pleads 'non guilty' or denies role of the offence, you might have to requite bear witness if you were a witness to the crime (some victims are non witnesses if, for case, they were burgled when they were away from dwelling house). If y'all are not needed as a witness at court, the police should nonetheless go along you informed about what happens in the case.

Find out more than about going to courtroom.