Victims of Crime

HC Deb 19 March 1999 vol 327 cc589-90W

Mr. Maclean

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he has put in place to ensure that victims of crime are kept fully informed about the progress of their cases. [77015]

Mr. Boateng

The 1996 Victim's Charter places responsibility on the police for keeping victims informed about significant developments in their case. Pilot projects to establish best ways of doing this were set up later that year. Interim findings of an evaluation managed by the Home Office Research and Statistics Directorate and carried out by Bristol University were published late last year, and drawn to criminal justice agencies' attention in Home Office Circular 55/1998 issued on 23 December 1998. This also reminded the police, and other agencies, of their responsibilities for keeping victims informed. A final evaluation report and recommendations are expected later this year, after which it is hoped good practice guidelines can be issued.