§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals there are to(a) publicise the work of witness support schemes and (b) secure recruits for them locally. [32683]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyAll victims of reported crime are given or sent the "Victims of Crime" leaflet. This includes information about the Witness Service. Those called to appear as witnesses are sent the "Witness in Court" 1129W leaflet, which provides a variety of useful information, including details of the Witness Service and contact information.
The Witness Service is provided through the organisation Victim Support. The Home Office grant to Victim Support in the current financial year is £25 million, an increase of £6 million on last year's figure. The extra money has enabled Victim Support to replicate in magistrates' courts the witness support services they already provide in the Crown court. Local victim support schemes publicise their work and recruit volunteers in a variety of ways.