What happens when I report a law-breaking?

Investigating crimes, catching criminals and protecting the customs is the law'south main job, only 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 it'south likely that you will take to talk to constabulary subsequently a criminal offense.

If you practice report a law-breaking the police will explicate what volition happen adjacent. They should also give you the contact details of the constabulary officeholder dealing with your case and a crime reference number. Brand a note of this number somewhere rubber – you lot will need it if you desire to contact the police again almost the incident, or if you want to make an insurance or compensation claim.

Getting support

When y'all report a law-breaking the constabulary should also ask you if you lot are happy for your details to exist passed to Victim Support. If you say yes, we will automatically go your contact data and brief details about the crime. We'll then contact you to come across how we can help. If y'all don't desire u.s. to contact you lot, tell the police officer. You can modify your mind later on and you can contact united states directly at any time for help and back up.

Making a argument

One time a crime has been reported, the police will start their investigation and attempt to find evidence. As the victim, they'll demand to talk to y'all and collect every bit much information as possible so that they can write upward a argument. If you lot find information technology difficult or upsetting to talk to the police, you can inquire for a pause at any point.

Victim Personal Argument

After the interview, you volition be asked to read the statement and check that it is right. The police volition then ask you to sign information technology. They should likewise give yous the take a chance to brand a dissever Victim Personal Statement – this is your take a chance to say how the offense has affected you, and it will be taken into account during trial.

Getting bear witness

The constabulary may also need to collect evidence from where the law-breaking took place, such every bit photos or fingerprints. If you've been injured in a violent assault or suffered a sexual crime, the police will inquire you whether you agree to have a medical examination. It's your decision, just remember that this may be an opportunity to go forensic prove that tin can aid bring an attacker to justice.

Keeping yous informed

Investigations can have some time. The police volition give you the proper noun and phone number of the officer or 'crime desk' responsible for your case and will keep you informed of developments – you can too contact the police by calling 101. Have your crime number prepare so that they can identify your case chop-chop.

What will happen after the police investigation?

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

Issuing a caution

The police may make up one's mind to caution the person (unless they are a young offender, in which case they may get a reprimand or final warning). With young offenders they may suggest a restorative justice arroyo. This could include asking y'all if you desire to nourish a restorative conference, where you would run across the offender along with a trained restorative justice facilitator.

A restorative justice coming together is completely voluntary. It tin can give yous the chance to ask the offender questions and tell them how their crime has affected you.

Taking the case to court

The instance will go to courtroom if the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decides that there is enough bear witness and that it is in the public interest to prosecute the person accused. The law practice not determine the issue 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 conclusion virtually whether or not they should prosecute. It should too take into account the views of your family. You tin find out more information on the CPS website.

Attention court equally a witness

If the CPS does prosecute, and the defendant pleads guilty, you won't take to go to court.

Only if the defendant pleads 'not guilty' or denies role of the offence, you lot might have to give evidence if you were a witness to the criminal offence (some victims are not witnesses if, for example, they were burgled when they were away from home). If you are non needed equally a witness at court, the police should still keep you informed about what happens in the case.

Find out more than about going to courtroom.