26 We will identify and support vulnerable victims and children.

• We endeavour to identify vulnerable witnesses at the earliest opportunity;
• We provide specially trained staff to take video recorded interview statements from children and vulnerable victims;
• The Witness Care Unit provides information and support for individuals who have to attend court;
• Our Family Liaison Officers provide extensive support for the families of the victims of serious crime or road traffic collisions;
• Together with multi-agency partners we have developed a racial and religious harassment resource pack;
• At each Basic Command Unit there is a dedicated Hate Crime Officer and a Domestic Violence Officer who are available to offer specialist advice and support;
• The Force has a dedicated Child Abuse Investigation Unit. Both police and support colleagues work in a multi-agency framework to deal with incidents of alleged child abuse;
• Race and religious incident review panels are in place to externally review and offer informative advice on police response and investigations of such incidents;
• A new risk assessment tool for domestic violence has been developed across the Force.

27 We will provide you with a victim of crime leaflet (and other relevant leaflets depending on the nature of your case).

• Police officers and police staff strive to keep you informed;
• Leaflets relating to the relevant crime along with information on what to expect from us, together with support from police officer and relevant support staff, will be provided and available to you once an incident has been reported;
• Relevant information packs are readily available from all of our Community Safety Bureaux and front enquiry offices.

28 Unless you ask us not to do so, we will pass your details to Victim Support Services within two days.

• Local Victim Support Services (VSS) have access to our Crime Information System (CIS) allowing early contact to be made if permission has been given;
• When a crime is reported by telephone to the Crime Bureau, Victim Support is always offered;
• Attending officers will always strive to identify victims who may be either vulnerable or intimidated and provide them with greater levels of support.

29 We will keep you in formed of the progress of the investigation including arrest, caution, reprimand, warning, charge, release on bail and court proceedings.

• Crime investigation standards are in place keeping victims informed of the progress of cases every 28 days;
• We aim to update the victim of any significant developments in the case e.g. suspect arrested, cautioned or reprimanded etc, within one day. This timescale relates to all victims;
• If the officer dealing with the case is away from work for an extended period, the responsibility will fall to the immediate line supervisor to continue to update you on any developments;
• The Witness Care Unit will contact you after each court appearance and update you of any case developments;
• The Witness Care Unit will also complete an initial witness assessment to ascertain any individual needs or arrangements that you may require;
• You are notified of the court date, time, location and facilities available at court. A pre-court visit can also be arranged if required.

30 We will ask the court for ‘special measures’ to be used where appropriate to assist you in giving evidence at court.

• We will ask the court for 'special measures' to be used where appropriate to assist you in giving evidence in court, for example, protecting you from seeing the accused whilst giving evidence, allowing you to give evidence by video link or in private.
• Witness assessments are conducted separate to 'special measures' which aims to identify any other needs of the victim;
• You will be informed of what 'special measures' are applicable and available to you.

31 When relevant, we will give you the opportunity to make a victim personal statement.

• When you give a victim statement you will be informed by the officer present of the Victim Personal Statement (VPS) Scheme;
• You have the option to record a victim personal statement at the same time as giving your statement of evidence;
• If for some reason you cannot or decline to make your VPS you will be advised that you can make it any time prior to the case being finalised and when convenient for you;
• You will be supplied with informative leaflets explaining the scheme.

32 With your consent, we will pass your details on to other organisations that are involved in your case.

• Your details will be passed on to Victim Support unless you request otherwise;
• We comply to the Data Protection Act when sharing relevant details with other Criminal Justice agencies.