HC Deb 23 July 2004 vol 424 cc880-1W
David Davis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of intimidation of(a) witnesses and (b) victims have been recorded in each year for which figures are available. [184961]

Mr. Blunkett

An exact answer to the question is not available.

The table shows recorded crime figures since 1997 for the offence of perverting the course of justice in England and Wales.

Nomber
1997 6,779
1997–98 7,108
1998–99 9,216
1998–991 9,265
1999–2000 9,637
2000–01 9,763
2001–02 10,287
2002–03 11,295
1 The number of crimes recorded in that financial year using the expanded offence coverage and revised counting rules which came into effect on 1 April 1998.

The following table gives figures on Court Proceedings by offence:

Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates' courts and found guilty at all courts, England and Wales 20021
Offence description Statute Proceeded against Found guilty
Intimidating a juror or witness or person assisting in investigation of offenders Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 Sec.51(1) 2,046 415
Harming or threatening to harm a juror, witness or person assisting in investigation of offences Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 Sec.51 (2) 249 65
Intimidating or intending to intimidate a witness Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 Sec.39 15 3
Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates' courts and found guilty at all courts, England and Wales 20021
Offence description Statute Proceeded against Found guilty
Harming or intending to harm a witness Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 Sec.40 3 1
1 These data are on the principal offence basis.

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