Advice for victims

When you report a crime to us you are taking the first important step to bringing offenders to justice. We will do everything we can to detect the crime and apprehend the person or people responsible.

We know that this is a distressing time. Our staff are trained to give you practical help, offer advice, explain what is going to happen during the investigation and why, and, if you so wish, pass your details to Victim Support so that they can offer you the right level of assistance. 

During the investigation

Please remember to tell us if your contact details change, quoting your crime reference number, so that we can keep you up to date with any developments.

Under the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime we will do our best to notify you:

• If a person or people have been charged, reported or cautioned for the offence
• If a person has been released on police bail, any bail conditions have been altered, or where no further action is taken
• If the investigation has come to an end
• If the case goes to court, consideration to be given to making a compensation order in your favour
• Of the result of the court case, and in the more serious cases, to be told the result of any appeal against conviction or sentence
• We will also give you advice about applying for compensation for personal injury from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Role of the media

The media can play an important role in tackling crime. For the purposes of investigating an offence, catching criminals or for crime prevention, the police may release details of the case to the press. If you are concerned about this happening, tell the police officer dealing with your case.