Victims Hub

If you have been the victim of a crime, going through the criminal justice process may seem daunting. However, there are protocols in place to ensure you are supported as best as possible throughout.

On our Criminal Justice and You webpage, Cumbria Constabulary explains the step-by-step process so that you can better navigate the criminal justice system, are more aware of what happens as a report and trial progresses, and how you will be supported throughout.

If you need support but do not wish to report to the Police, you can contact Victim Support Cumbria.

Victim Support Cumbria provide personalised support to people who have been affected by crime in Cumbria. They are an independent charity and you can contact them for help regardless of whether you’ve contacted the police, and no matter how long ago the crime took place. They’ll support you for as long as it takes to overcome the impact of crime.

To find out more about the support Victim Support Cumbria can offer you, contact them at 0300 303 0157 or on their website.

Victim Personal Statement (VPS)

A VPS is different from the statement you may have given to the police about what happened. It is not about the facts of the offence; it is about the impact it has had on you and your life.

What can I include?

You can describe how the crime has affected your day to day life, your health, your relationships, your work, or your finances. You can also say whether you feel at risk of further harm. There is no right or wrong way to write a VPS as it is personal to you.

What happens to my statement?

If a suspect is charged and the case goes to court, your VPS will be shared with the Crown Prosecution Service, the defence, and the judge or magistrate. You may also have the option to read it aloud in court, have someone read it on your behalf, or have it played as a video recording. The court will take it into account when deciding on sentencing.

How many times can I make one?

You can make a VPS more than once. You are entitled to provide an updated statement before the trial, and again before sentencing if your circumstances have changed or the impact of the crime has developed over time. You do not have to wait to be asked; you can request to update your VPS at any point by contacting the officer in your case.

Is it compulsory?

No. Making a VPS is entirely your choice. You will never be pressured into making one, and choosing not to make one will not affect how your case is investigated or prosecuted.

How do I make one?

Speak to the officer dealing with your case, or contact your local police station, and they will arrange for your VPS to be taken. Support is also available through Victim Support if you would like help putting your thoughts into words.

Our Criminal Justice and You webpage, has a video with an officer explaining a bit more about what a VPS is.

Being a victim of crime can be a distressing, traumatic and upsetting experience. In order to assist you through the processes, Cumbria Constabulary have developed a  Putting Victims First Booklet that explains what happens next and gives victims and witnesses more information about organisations that will provide support, help and advice. 

Victims Journey

A crime is a deliberate act that causes physical or psychological harm, damage to or loss of property, and is against the law crime rarely affects just one person, it has a ripple effect and can impact on whole families, friends, and communities. experiencing a crime can have a significant impact on your mental health and emotional well-being. Everyone reacts differently and it’s normal to feel confused about how the Criminal Justice System works and the options which are available to victims, witnesses and others who may be affected. How individuals react to crime depends on lots of different things — such as the crime itself, the sort of person they are, and the support they have around them.

From October 2014 grant funding for the commissioning of local services to support victims of crime and deliver restorative justice moved from the Ministry of Justice to Police and Crime Commissioners. The legislation aimed to provide Commissioners with clear powers to provide or commission a wide range of services for victims, witnesses and others affected by offences and anti-social behaviour. The renewed focus on meeting victims’ needs also led to the Victims’ Code being reviewed and revised, with the new Code that came into effect in May 2020. This has all created a greater focus on understanding the needs of victims of crime and providing an opportunity for change. One of the key priorities for Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner is “Putting Victims First”.

Everyone has the right to feel safe in their home and community and get the support that they need to cope with the immediate impact of crime and as far as possible recover from its effects. If affected by crime, there are a number of ways to get support or information. If you’ve been a victim of crime you have the right to receive a certain level of service from the criminal justice system.

Your rights are explained in the Victims’ Code The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime in England and Wales and supporting public information materials

This Code tells you what you can expect from criminal justice agencies, including the Police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Courts.