Victims Personal Statement Procedure - Dorset Police

Not Protectively Marked3.3.6 Officers should take the VPS as they would an evidential witness statement,questioning the victim in the same way, to help them express what they want to say.Victims should be encouraged to talk about their feelings by questioning. Officersshould bear in mind that every victim will be affected differently by crime (seeparagraph 3.1.4 above) and ensure that all relevant issues are explored and reflectedin the VPS if the victim wishes to include them.3.3.7 Following the taking of the VPS, the officer must take the following action:-• Assess any risks to the victim that may be identified in the VPS, or as a result ofother information, and take effective action to deal with any assessed risk afterconsultation with supervisors and other specialists;• Take any necessary immediate action to alleviate any distress or suffering ofthe victim. This may include the initial referral to Victim Support or other supportagencies;• Bring to the attention of the custody officer the contents of the VPS if anyone isin custody for the alleged offence against the victim at that time;• Keep the victim informed of the progress of the case by providing the updatesrequired by the Victims’ Code. This includes ensuring that the victim is notifiedof any Remand, Early First Hearing (EFH) or Early Administrative Hearing(EAH) court date. The victim will be kept updated as to subsequent court datesand other post charge information by the Witness Care Unit;• Input the fact that a VPS exists and details of any prompts that have beencovered in the VPS to the crime or collision recording system via the CentralInput Bureau dictation system;• Ensure that the VPS is linked to the other case papers as soon as possible.3.3.8 Following the taking of the VPS the Criminal Justice Division will ensure that allsubsequent necessary actions identified in the VPS, are carried out. This may includedealing with special needs if the case progresses to court, and notifying other criminaljustice agencies, primarily the Crown Prosecution Service, of the VPS and its content.3.3.9 If a VPS contains concerns of the victim about bail the Custody Officer must take theseinto consideration when making decisions about whether to grant bail or in determiningany conditions of bail that might be necessary to remove the need to detain a person incustody.3.4 Taking a VPS at a later stage3.4.1 A victim may ask to make a VPS at a later stage because they have changed theirmind about making one, or they may wish to describe the longer-term effects that thecrime has had on them or clarify anything said in an earlier VPS. The VPS can bemade at any time before the case is heard in court.3.4.2 The Case Director or CJD File Scrutineer will task the officer in the case to offer thevictim the opportunity to make a VPS if it appears from the file review to beappropriate.3.4.3 The Witness Care Officer (WCO) should also, as part of the detailed needsassessment, offer the victim the opportunity to make a VPS (or further VPS) at thatstage. The purpose of the detailed needs assessment is to explore a range of issuesVictim Personal Statement Procedure - 6 - P15-2001 v 1.7