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Recommendation

Improving the victim experience of the criminal justice system: recommendation 3

Updated: 1 October 2025
© Copyright, Victims Commissioner 2025.
Recommendation date:
7 March, 2025
Agency:
National Police Chiefs’ Council
Document title:
Justice delayed: The impact of the Crown Court backlog on victims, victim services and the criminal justice system
Status:
Awaiting response

Recommendation:

The National Police Chiefs’ Council should issue guidance to Chief Constables to ensure that Witness Care Units/ police staff are undertaking thorough victim needs assessments, which fully recognise the impact delays in the court system can have on victim wellbeing. There should be reference to victim vulnerabilities which carry significant risk of additional harm.

Read recommendation detail

The Witness Care Unit/ police officers may wish to consider the following factors when assessing risk of additional harm:

  • The additional communication and accessibility needs of disabled victims and witnesses, including neuro-divergent people.
  • The additional needs of those with mental health and/ or substance misuse conditions.
  • The additional mental and emotional health needs of those with caring responsibilities.
  • The age and/ or capacity of the victim