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Email: sojp@jersey.pnn.police.uk

Tel: +44 (0)1534 612612
Fax: +44 (0)1534 612613

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Victim Support

HOW YOU CAN HELP THE POLICE TO HELP YOU

This page explains how the Victim Support Scheme can help you and how you can apply for compensation if you have suffered injury, loss or damage from a crime. It tells you what is available and how you can help the Police.

Click on the link below to access the Victim Support website:

http://www.victimsupport.org.uk/vs_england_wales/contacts/jersey/contact/contact.php

If you need further help or advice about a specific crime please phone States of Jersey Police on 612612. The switchboard is open 24 hours a day.

In order to help us, please provide the following information:

  • Your telephone number
  • The officer dealing with your case (rank and number)
  • The crime reference number
  • The date the crime took place

LODGING A COMPLAINT

Whenever you complain about a criminal offence, we will make enquiries to try to solve the crime. When making our enquiries, we may need to contact you again. Whenever possible, you will be told if the offender has been arrested. So it is important that you tell us of any change of address or phone number where we can contact you. You should also tell us of any other changes: for example, you may have noticed further losses or damage since you first reported the offence, or you may be suffering from an injury caused by the crime.


Write down:

  • Any expenses that you have had as a result of the offence, for example medical expenses or the cost of repairing or replacing your property.
  • Any loss of earnings you may have suffered.


Keep:

  • Any receipts, estimates or other documents about any of these things.


VICTIM SUPPORT SCHEMES

The Victim Support Scheme operates in Jersey. Their volunteers are generally trained to provide information, confidential advice and general support. They can also get you specialist professional help if you need it.

We will tell the Support Scheme about most crimes and you will receive a telephone call or letter asking if you would like their assistance. If you don't want this to happen, tell the Police Officer dealing with your case. If you want to know whether your case has been passed onto the Scheme, or would like advice or support, you can contact the Scheme or ask a friend or relative to do so for you. The Jersey Victim Support Scheme coordinator can be contacted on telephone 01534 769700 (Answerphone).

The Police

We can offer you free crime prevention advice. Just call into the Police Station, or give us a ring on 01534 612612.

Remember

If you are not sure about anything mentioned on this page and you have been recently involved in a crime in Jersey please ask the Police Officer dealing with your case. We will do all that we can to not only solve your crime but to assist you afterwards.

COMPENSATION

If you have suffered personal injury, or loss or damage to your property from crime, you may qualify for compensation. Three possibilities are open to you:

  • A compensation order against the offender
  • A civil action
  • Compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (or through the Motor Insurers' Bureau).


Compensation order against the offender

How does it work?

If someone is caught and convicted, the criminal court may order the offender to pay you compensation for any injury, loss or damage you have suffered because of the offence. You cannot apply for this yourself, so it is important that the prosecution has full and accurate information to give the court.

What should I do?

Tell the Police about your injuries and any loss or damage that has happened because of the crime. Also say whether you want compensation if the offender is prosecuted.

Write down any income you have received or money spent (keep receipts for repairing or replacing property) as a result of the offence. The court may want evidence to support your wish for compensation.

Tell the Investigating Officer

Also tell the Investigating Officer of any changes that have happened since you first reported the matter - for example, you may have noticed further losses or damage, or you may be suffering from further effects of the injury.

Do I have to ask for compensation in a criminal court?

No. Victims have no legal right to claim or get compensation through the criminal courts. The courts may consider compensation in every appropriate case and will decide whether to order an offender to pay compensation and if so, how much.

Civil proceedings

Whatever the result of your case, you can sue the offender for damages in a civil court. This is called a civil action. You can find out more about this at your Citizens Advice Bureau or by asking a member of the legal profession.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme

Another way of getting compensation is through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. If you have been injured because of a crime of violence, you can apply for compensation under the Scheme. It doesn't matter whether the offender has been caught or not. Ask for the leaflet Victims of Crimes of Violence: a guide to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. It is available from the Police, the Victim Support Scheme, the Citizens Advice Bureau or from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board at the Judicial Greffe, States Buildings, Royal Square.