Witness Care Unit

The local Witness Care Unit is managed through a collaborative partnership between the Crime Prosecution Service (CPS) and Leicestershire Constabulary.

The Witness Care Unit offers a single point of contact for victims and witnesses from arrest of the defendant through to sentence. Witness Care officers co-ordinate the support and services provided to the witness and keep them informed throughout the case.

A member of staff from Victim Support is also working with the CPS and Police Witness Liaison staff to assist victims and witnesses at an early stage.

The Witness Care Unit can deal with a range of problems or requests such as: arranging childcare for someone who is giving evidence at court, or helping witnesses with transport problems, language difficulties, disabilities, or discussing the needs of a witness who has been identified as vulnerable. This may entail visits to the court before the trial begins or to consider using the remote video suite.