West Midlands justice bodies condemned for ‘inexcusable’ failure to protect victims
Police and criminal justice bodies in the West Midlands have been warned there is no excuse for the ‘inexcusable, unacceptable and inexplicable’ failure to protect victims’ rights.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster said the Victims Code must always be at the forefront of the criminal justice system to ensure they get the support they need.
And he added he is starting a ‘major campaign’ to raise awareness of the code and ensure people were aware of their rights.
The Victims Code sets out 12 rights everyone subjected to a crime is entitled to.
The issue was raised at a West Midlands Police and Crime Panel meeting during a discussion about bringing offenders to justice.
Councillor Sardul Marwa MBE asked Mr Foster what was being done to ensure the police and agencies were complying with the code.
Mr Foster said: “Compliance with the victims’ code, whether that be compliance by West Midlands Police or indeed by the wider criminal justice system is an absolute top priority.
“The view I take is we have had a code for about 19 years.
“It is inexcusable, unacceptable and inexplicable that policing and the wider criminal justice system are either not complying with that victims’ code or are incapable of being able to evidence compliance.
“I am embarking on a major campaign over the next six to 12 months in order to raise awareness and education amongst the public to ensure they are aware of their 12 rights within the code and also to hold West Midlands Police and the wider criminal justice system to account.
“I convened an in-person criminal justice board meeting back in September in order to effectively put West Midlands Police and others on notice.
“I do not want to see any more non-compliance or backsliding with that code. There can be no excuses for not complying with it after 19 years.
“I will be working with my victims’ advocate to ensure we drive that commitment – it’s a commitment within my Police and Crime Plan.
“It is essential we do not just pay lip service to the rights and welfare of victims being at the forefront of the criminal justice system.
“There are many ways in which we can make sure victims are at the forefront of the system – one way is compliance with the victims’ code of practice.
“It sets out 12 key rights they are entitled to. That’s the minimum which can be expected by victims. It’s not even talking about a five star service here – it’s the minimum.
He added: “West Midlands Police are making progress around this and are increasingly becoming better at measuring their performance against the code.”
