VICTIMS OF CRIME. Information Pack BACK PAGE FLAP/GUARD. IFC pocket. Finishing tool: Solid rules score - Dotted cut CRIMESTOPPERS.

Transcription

1 BEDFORDSHIRE CRIMESTOPPERS When completing Crime Details form (page 5 and 11) place this flap under the victim s copy (page 7 and 13) to prevent carbon copying on subsequent pages Call anonymously with information about crime VICTIMS OF CRIME If you are a victim of crime, you may be aware of other crimes. If you wish to remain anonymous call CRIMESTOPPERS on Your call to CRIMESTOPPERS is made completely anonymously you do not have to give your name or address your call is not recorded or traced. Most mobile phone operators do not print calls made to CRIMESTOPPERS on itemised bills. You may be eligible for a reward also given completely anonymously. You can make your area safer by giving your information to CRIMESTOPPERS. Often the smallest piece of information can make all the difference in solving a serious crime. CRIMESTOPPERS is the only charity helping to solve crime. For more information go to Delivering a Quality Policing Service in a Customer Focused Way Information Pack Headquarters Woburn Road Kempston Bedford MK43 9AX Tel: Fax: Issue 2, March 2006 FLAP/GUARD BACK PAGE Finishing tool: Solid rules score - Dotted cut IFC pocket

2 MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF CONSTABLE Being a victim of crime can be a very distressing experience. We are therefore determined to reduce the number of offences taking place and are committed to providing the best possible service to all victims of crime. As part of this commitment this Information Pack has been produced to give you the advice and assistance you may need. We will do everything that we can to try and detect your crime by finding the person or persons responsible and ensuring that justice is served. Just as importantly we will consider your needs as a victim, particularly in keeping you informed about the progress of the investigation. In this pack we have included a number of information leaflets which may be of assistance to you. Our website ( also contains a wide range of useful information, advice on crime prevention and other services such as the Bobby Van Scheme. Where an investigation results in a person being taken to court, we and our partner agencies will do all we can to support you as a witness if you are called to give evidence. Gillian Parker Chief Constable Bedfordshire Police USEFUL CONTACT DETAILS Website: Non-Emergency Numbers USEFUL CONTACT DETAILS Crime Management Units There are three Crime Management Units in Bedfordshire. Their offices are generally open 8am to 5pm, seven-days-a-week. If you have any questions regarding your case please contact the appropriate Crime Management Unit, ensuring you have your crime number to hand. Bedford and North Bedfordshire Crime Management Unit Luton and Leagrave Crime Management Unit Dunstable and Mid/South Bedfordshire Crime Management Unit

3 OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU At the time of reporting a crime we will: Listen to your account and ensure that we properly understand what you are telling us Respond sympathetically and ensure a record is made of the crime Provide you with a crime reference number at the time of reporting or within 24 hours Explain to you what is going to be done in relation to your report Provide you with the contact details necessary for you to be able to talk to someone about your crime. This will normally be the details of the person who is dealing with it Provide you with meaningful literature offering advice and guidance We will then: Unless you ask us not to, pass your details to Victim Support within 2 days* Ensure referral is made to other appropriate agencies where support is needed Explore all identified lines of enquiry in the course of investigating your crime with the aim of securing a detection and prosecution, and the rightful return of property Keep you informed of the progress of the investigation, including any arrest, caution, reprimand, warning, charge, release on bail and court proceedings When relevant, give you the opportunity to make a Victim Personal Statement Where court proceedings are instigated, provide you with additional support through a joint Police/Crown Prosecution Service Witness Care Unit A decision may be made that no identified lines of enquiry are available and therefore no further investigation will be carried out. In these circumstance you will be informed that no further action is to be taken at this time. All reports of crime are recorded on a computer system and analysis carried out over time to reveal any trends or behaviour patterns that may link crimes together for investigation. Additionally any unsolved crime is always kept on record in case new information comes to light. This could mean that your crime may be solved after some time and in these circumstances we will contact you and let you know. *In accordance with the victim referral arrangement between the Police and Victim Support, the Police will not routinely pass over the details of victims of the following criminal conduct: a) theft of a motor vehicle b) theft from a motor vehicle c) minor criminal damage, and d) tampering with motor vehicles. 2

4 USEFUL AGENCIES Criminal Justice System If your case goes to court you can find out what this will mean for you by visiting the Criminal Justice System s website - You will also be contacted by a Witness Care Officer, who will ensure you are informed of the progress of your case through the system. If it seems likely that you will be required as a witness they will help you with any practical issues which could affect your ability to attend court and give evidence if required. CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM Bedfordshire Police In this pack we have included a number of information leaflets which may be of assistance to you. Our website also contains a wide range of useful information, advice on crime prevention and other services such as the Bobby Van Scheme. Victim Support Victim Support can provide emotional support through its members who have been specially trained to understand the effect crime may have upon you. Victim Support can also offer practical support, such as help making your insurance claim and finding out about suitable security installers. If when reporting your Crime you did not ask for Victim Support to be contacted for you, call them now if you feel you need some support. Even taking advice over the phone can help. You don t have to have a home visit unless you request it. Your local Victim Support contact numbers are: Bedfordshire and North Bedfordshire Luton and Mid & South Bedfordshire Help the Aged Help the Aged can assist with all sorts of problems concerning older people. The advice line is free on (Lines are open weekdays 9am to 4pm) or look in your telephone directory for local Help the Aged services. Crimestoppers If you have information about ANY crime, please phone Crimestoppers on You will not be asked your name, address or phone number and you may receive a reward. Samaritans Samaritans provides confidential, emotional support 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week by telephone, , face-to-face or by letter to people of all ages who are in emotional distress. For someone to talk to, call

5 USEFUL AGENCIES Mencap Mencap can provide advice and support to those people with learning disabilities and their families and carers, to meet people s need throughout their lives. Their advice line is free on and is open 24-hours-a-day. Age Concern Age Concern generally provides services to people over the age of 50. These can include information and advice, security surveys, and detailed factsheets on a variety of relevant subjects. Contact Age Concern Bedfordshire on Women's Aid Federation of England Women's Aid is the national domestic violence charity that co-ordinates and supports an England wide network of over 500 local services, who work to end violence against women and children, and support over 200,000 women and children each year. They can be contacted on Essentially the site is a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) database containing information and responses to a wide selection of nationally asked questions. The site is continually updated and responsive to questions being asked. It provides a wealth of information to a variety of users whether they be within the Criminal Justice System, those who on occasions work alongside, such as Education, Health professionals or other 'blue light services', or members of the public seeking an answer to a general police related question. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender Men4Men the Men4Men project provides a wide range of sexual health advice and support to all bi-sexual or gay men living in the Bedfordshire area. They can be contacted on The Beaumont Society is the UK s largest membership organisation for Crossdressers, Transvestites and Transsexuals. They can be contacted on There is also a support organisation for young LGBT people in Bedfordshire, they offer peer support, guidance and advice. They can be contacted on , extension 109. Race & Religion Bedford Race Equality Council (BREC) and Bedford Hate Crime Partnership (BHCP) actively encourages and monitors the reporting of harassment, racially aggravated crimes and other hate crime. If you have been the victim of a hate crime, or would like some confidential help or advice, please contact the True Vision Co-ordination Service on / Luton Multi Agency Racist Incident Group (LMARIG) actively encourages and monitors the reporting of harassment and racially aggravated crimes, through the True Vision initiative. If you have been a victim or would like some confidential help or advice, please contact Joan Bailey LMARIG

6 CRIME DETAILS (OFFICER S COPY) OIS URN: Crime Ref No: Offence Reported: Offence Reported at : hrs on / / Committed between : hrs on / / and : hrs on / / Racial: Y N Homophobic: Y N Scene of crime (address): Postcode Premises type: Location status (licensed etc): Detach when completed Aggrieved/Person Reporting Title: Forename: Surname: Address: Postcode Contact Details (Please also indicate their preferred method of contact by ticking the appropriate box) Daytime: Evening: Mobile: Sex: DOB: PNC ethnicity: Self-defined ethnicity: Details of injury: Occupation: Victim support required: Y N Crime prevention required: Y N Statement taken: None Evidential Victim Personal Statement Officer reporting Name (forename/surname/rank/collar no): Contact details (type and details): Property stolen/damaged (If applicable complete stolen/damaged property form on page 11). Description to include all identification marks, details of manufacturer/make/model/colour/serial and part numbers Next steps Crime scene investigation arranged? Y N If no, why? Leaflets required in which other language? Vulnerable victim Y N If yes, why? Crime prevention what information is required? Advised what will happen next Officer signature: Victim signature: 5

7 CRIME DETAILS (VICTIM S COPY) OIS URN: Crime Ref No: Offence Reported: Offence Reported at : hrs on / / Committed between : hrs on / / and : hrs on / / Racial: Y N Homophobic: Y N Scene of crime (address): Postcode Premises type: Location status (licensed etc): Aggrieved/Person Reporting Title: Forename: Surname: Address: Postcode Contact Details (Please also indicate their preferred method of contact by ticking the appropriate box) Daytime: Evening: Mobile: Sex: DOB: PNC ethnicity: Self-defined ethnicity: Details of injury: Occupation: Victim support required: Y N Crime prevention required: Y N Statement taken: None Evidential Victim Personal Statement Officer reporting Name (forename/surname/rank/collar no): Contact details (type and details): Property stolen/damaged (If applicable complete stolen/damaged property form on page 11). Description to include all identification marks, details of manufacturer/make/model/colour/serial and part numbers Next steps Crime scene investigation arranged? Y N If no, why? Leaflets required in which other language? Vulnerable victim Y N If yes, why? Crime prevention what information is required? Advised what will happen next Officer signature: Victim signature: 7

8 This MUST be removed in all cases Officer attending scene use only Crime Ref No: Collar No: MO Description Detach when completed Additional Information 9

9 This MUST be removed in all cases Remember: MOs are vital for intelligence and can lead to detection, especially for crimes that develop into a series, e.g. distraction burglary, burglary dwelling, robbery, sexual offences and criminal deception. The following 10 points should be considered for the MO description: 1. CLASSWORD This describes the class of a person or property attacked. Its purpose is to make the person or property as individual as possible. For example dwelling is not as helpful as bungalow or ground floor maisonette. 2. ENTRY The actual point of entry must be described. For example rear window is not as useful as ground floor rear sash window. 3. MEANS The method used to gain entry should be detailed, e.g. bodily pressure, screwdriver or unknown implement. You may need to speak to SOCO if you are unsure about the means used. 4. OBJECT What was the object in committing the crime? For example, if the object was the result of a neighbour dispute, then this should be recorded. 5. TIME The actual time of the offences will already have been recorded elsewhere on the report, but do mention if the time was significant, e.g. the victim always leaves house at certain time in the morning or walks home at same time. 6. STYLE The style the offender chooses to adopt, e.g. bogus official, opportunist street robber or apparently well-planned offences where offenders knew exactly where to go. 7. TALE this relates to the account the offender may give of themself to the victim or other witnesses. It is used especially in deception offences where the offender poses as someone else and has to act out his part in words as well as dress and/or manner. Detach when the obverse side is completed 8. PAL Many criminals prefer to work with someone else. If this is obvious, note it on the crime report. 9. TRANSPORT Was a vehicle used in connection with the crime? How bulky were the stolen items to take away? Did neighbours see a vehicle or taxi/minicab? 10. TRADEMARKS Some criminals are tidy in their searches, others are untidy or consume food and drink on the premises. Some assaults involve specific weapons. Make sure you note down full details of the offence. You will rarely be able to complete all 10 points on each crime but ensure that you complete as many as are applicable. 10

10 STOLEN/DAMAGED PROPERTY RECORD FORM Name Address Postcode Crime Ref No: Item Serial Description include size Antique/art Value Indicate how/where number colour, make, model etc collectables security marked or any distinguishing details Detach when completed When completed, detach this sheet and either post it or take it to your nearest police station in the envelope provided 11

11 STOLEN/DAMAGED PROPERTY RECORD FORM Name Address Postcode Crime Ref No: Item Serial Description include size Antique/art Value Indicate how/where number colour, make, model etc collectables security marked or any distinguishing details COPY 13

12 STOLEN/DAMAGED PROPERTY RECORD FORM (cont) Name Address Postcode Crime Ref No: Item Serial Description include size Antique/art Value Indicate how/where number colour, make, model etc collectables security marked or any distinguishing details Detach when completed When completed, detach this sheet and either post it or take it to your nearest police station in the envelope provided 15

13 STOLEN/DAMAGED PROPERTY RECORD FORM (cont) Name Address Postcode Crime Ref No: Item Serial Description include size Antique/art Value Indicate how/where number colour, make, model etc collectables security marked or any distinguishing details COPY 17

14 BEDFORDSHIRE CRIMESTOPPERS When completing Crime Details form (page 5 and 11) place this flap under the victim s copy (page 7 and 13) to prevent carbon copying on subsequent pages Call anonymously with information about crime VICTIMS OF CRIME If you are a victim of crime, you may be aware of other crimes. If you wish to remain anonymous call CRIMESTOPPERS on Your call to CRIMESTOPPERS is made completely anonymously you do not have to give your name or address your call is not recorded or traced. Most mobile phone operators do not print calls made to CRIMESTOPPERS on itemised bills. You may be eligible for a reward also given completely anonymously. You can make your area safer by giving your information to CRIMESTOPPERS. Often the smallest piece of information can make all the difference in solving a serious crime. CRIMESTOPPERS is the only charity helping to solve crime. For more information go to Delivering a Quality Policing Service in a Customer Focused Way Information Pack Headquarters Woburn Road Kempston Bedford MK43 9AX Tel: Fax: Issue 2, March 2006 FLAP/GUARD BACK PAGE Finishing tool: Solid rules score - Dotted cut IFC pocket