Written question asked by Lord Goldsmith (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Wallace of Tankerness (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 27 February 2012.

Courts: Witness Care Units

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the comments by Lord McNally on 1 February (Official Report, cols. 1658–62), how many witness care units are operative in England and Wales; whether they provide a full coverage across the country; and when was the most recent review of the effectiveness and coverage of those units.

Answer: There are 80 Witness Care Units (WCUs) currently operating in England and Wales. The WCUs are distributed geographically across the 13 CPS areas and provide full coverage across the country. A review of witness care was conducted in 2009 aimed at ensuring greater consistency and efficiency in the service delivered to victims and witnesses. In 2011, the CPS commissioned a project to review its victim and witness commitments with a view to taking a fresh look at the service it delivers to them. As part of this review, the CPS is working with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to pilot a revised delivery model within WCUs, targeting resources to those victims and witnesses who are in most need of support.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 15421; 735 c222-3WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Proceeding contributions
House of Lords
Subjects: Courts Witnesses Victims
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk