What happens when I report a crime?

Investigating crimes, communicable criminals and protecting the customs is the police's main job, only they also aid victims and witnesses of law-breaking.

Even if y'all don't report a crime as the victim, someone who saw what happened might do, so information technology's likely that you will have to talk to constabulary afterward a crime.

If yous do report a crime the constabulary will explain what will happen next. They should also give you the contact details of the police officer dealing with your case and a crime reference number. Make a notation of this number somewhere safe – you volition need information technology if yous desire to contact the police again about the incident, or if y'all want to make an insurance or compensation claim.

Getting support

When you report a crime the police should also inquire you if you are happy for your details to be passed to Victim Support. If you say yes, we will automatically go your contact data and brief details virtually the crime. We'll and then contact you to run into how nosotros can help. If yous don't want us to contact you, tell the police officer. You lot can change your mind subsequently and you lot can contact us directly at whatever time for aid and back up.

Making a statement

Once a offense has been reported, the police force will outset their investigation and try to detect bear witness. As the victim, they'll need to talk to yous and collect as much information as possible so that they can write up a argument. If you find it hard or upsetting to talk to the police, you can inquire for a interruption at any point.

Victim Personal Argument

After the interview, you lot will be asked to read the argument and bank check that it is correct. The law will then ask you to sign information technology. They should also requite you the run a risk to brand a separate Victim Personal Statement – this is your take chances to say how the criminal offence has affected you, and it volition exist taken into business relationship during trial.

Getting evidence

The police may also need to collect evidence from where the criminal offense took place, such as photos or fingerprints. If y'all've been injured in a vehement assail or suffered a sexual crime, the police force will ask you lot whether y'all concord to have a medical exam. It's your decision, only remember that this may exist an opportunity to get forensic evidence that can help bring an aggressor to justice.

Keeping y'all informed

Investigations can accept some time. The police will give yous the name and phone number of the officer or 'criminal offense desk' responsible for your case and will keep yous informed of developments – you can also contact the police past calling 101. Have your crime number ready then that they can place your example quickly.

What volition happen later on the law investigation?

If the police force detect the person who committed the criminal offence, there are a number of things that could happen.

Issuing a circumspection

The police may decide to caution the person (unless they are a young offender, in which case they may become a reprimand or concluding warning). With young offenders they may suggest a restorative justice approach. This could include asking you if you lot desire to nourish a restorative briefing, where you would encounter the offender along with a trained restorative justice facilitator.

A restorative justice meeting is completely voluntary. It tin can give you the chance to ask the offender questions and tell them how their crime has affected y'all.

Taking the example to court

The case will go to courtroom if the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decides that there is enough evidence and that it is in the public interest to prosecute the person accused. 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 affect the crime has had on you, the victim, in making a decision virtually whether or not they should prosecute. It should also have into account the views of your family unit. You can notice out more information on the CPS website.

Attending court as a witness

If the CPS does prosecute, and the defendant pleads guilty, you lot won't take to become to courtroom.

Only if the defendant pleads 'non guilty' or denies part of the offence, you might have to requite evidence if y'all were a witness to the criminal offence (some victims are non witnesses if, for case, they were burgled when they were away from abode). If yous are not needed as a witness at court, the law should still proceed you informed about what happens in the example.

Find out more about going to court.