Witnesses play a vital role in helping the police solve crimes and deliver justice. You will be provided with Victim Support leaflet and crime prevention advice is available free of charge.

As your case passes through the criminal justice system, you will be provided with support by Cambridgeshire Constabulary's dedicated Witness Care Unit.

You may be asked to give evidence as a witness if you:

• Are a victim of crime
• Know something about a crime or an incident
• Have a specialist knowledge of a subject (Expert Witness)
• You know one of the people involved in a case (Character Witness)

Coming forward

If you have witnessed a crime it is vital you report it because the information you provide could ensure a criminal is brought to justice. This could prevent further crimes from being committed and protect others from becoming victims.

All crimes, even those without obvious victims, have a negative effect on our neighbours, so reporting what you know will also be helping your community.

Help and support

It is not unusual to feel apprehensive about appearing in court as a witness. A number of organisations offer help and support.

Members of Cambridgeshire Constabulary's Witness Care Team will contact you prior to any hearing, offering you support and with you will identify any special requirements that you may have.

Victim Support, an independent charity, also runs the Witness Service in every criminal court in Cambridgeshire which gives information and support to witnesses, their families and friends when they go to court.

It is a criminal offence to intimidate a witness or anyone helping the police in an investigation. If you are harassed or threatened in any way before, during or after a trial, you should tell the police immediately.