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You do not have to report crime directly. There are anonymous ways of informing the police. If you think that reporting a crime to the police might put you or someone else in danger or at risk, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You will not be asked your name and you can give information anonymously.
In some parts of the country there are also independent reporting centres where victims of hate crime, such as racist incidents, domestic violence and crimes against lesbians and gay men, can report the crime anonymously. The centre staff will pass on the information to police.
If you report the crime, the police should give you a booklet called Victims of crime, which explains what will happen next. The police will give you a reference number for your crime and you will need this if you want to make an insurance or criminal injuries compensation claim.
Going to court
Most court cases are dealt with by magistrates' courts. More serious cases have to be sent to the Crown Court for trial by jury. Information about the services we provide to witnesses is available in the Going to court section of our website.
Restorative justice
Restorative justice is a relatively new approach to crime which many people describe as a 'problem-solving' approach. It tries to make things good again (restored) after a crime for victims, offenders and the communities they live in. It focuses around getting offenders to take responsibility for what they have done - apologising and making amends to their victims and resolving to change their behaviour. For victims, restorative justice provides a chance to ask an offender questions or to tell them how their criminal behaviour has affected others.
Since 1998 a range of new measures for dealing with young offenders has been introduced. These measures include some elements of restorative justice. An essential part of the measures is that it is totally up to the victim as to whether or not they take part. If you are asked about taking part, it may be described as mediation, reparation or a restorative conference. If you want to find out more, we can help you.
What happens after court
Prison
If an offender tries to contact you from prison, or if you are worried that they might try to, and you don't want them to, you can contact the Prison Service Victim Helpline (run by the Prison Service) on 0845 7585112 - Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm. Calls are charged at local rates. They will inform the prison governor who will investigate and decide what action to take. The governor will write to you to let you know what they are going to do.
Release of offenders
If you are the victim of a violent or sexual crime, and the offender is sentenced to one year or more, the probation service must contact you to ask if you want to be kept informed about when and how the offender will be released. You are also entitled to give your views about any conditions you think are necessary when they are released. The police should give you the leaflet Release of prisoners: information for victims of serious sexual or other violent offences.
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East Surrey
Ashtead, Banstead, Caterham, Dorking, Epsom, Ewell, Horley, Leatherhead, Lingfield, Oxted, Redhill, Reigate, Stoneleigh, Tadworth, Worcester Park (parts), and surrounding areas. |
North Surrey
Addlestone, Ashford, Chertsey, Claygate, Cobham, Egham, Esher, Hersham Hinchley Wood, Laleham, Long Ditton, East and West Molesey, Oxshott, Shepperton, Staines, Stanwell, Stoke D'Abernon, Sunbury on Thames, Thames Ditton, Walton, Weybridge and surrounding areas. |
West Surrey
Ash, Burpham, Byfleet, Camberley, Cranleigh, Farnham, Frimley, Godalming, Guildford, Haslemere, Horsley, Knaphill, Lightwater, Old Woking, Ripley, Shere, Woking, and surrounding areas. |
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