§ Lorna FitzsimonsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to ensure that police keep in close contact with witnesses about progress on cases in which they are involved; and what guidelines he has issued on the subject. [90309]
§ Mr. BoatengThe 1996 Victim's Charter outlines the standards of service that victims and witnesses can expect from the police and the other criminal justice agencies. The Charter standards are monitored regularly by the interdepartmental Victims Steering Group, chaired by the Home Office. A review of the Charter itself will begin next year. The review will take into account both changes in legislation and new non-legislative measures, including those measures introduced as a result of the Macpherson Inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence.