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• Include analysis and comment and can include personal opinion within their
professional remit.
What is a VPS Witness Statement?
This is a statement made by the victim of a criminal offence. It is recorded on
form MG11 and the content relates to the effect the offence has on them.
The Purpose of VPS forms are: -
These statements provide the victim with an opportunity to state how the offence
has affected them:
• Physically
• Emotionally
• Psychologically
• financially, or
• in any other way victim, an opportunity to say if they require further support,
or wish to claim compensation.
• To provide the Home Office and the courts with information on these matters
and allow them to take an account of the consequences of the offence on the
victim. These statements are voluntary and are separate to other statements.
They are disclosed to the defence.
Victim Personal Statements: -
When a VPS is used in court the VPS is put before the court after conviction in
the sentencing bundle. (Impact Statement)
If a police officer takes a witness statement in England, Wales or Northern
Ireland, they must record it on an MG11 form.
All investigating police officers must keep the original copies of all witness
statements in the case file and send copies to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Before a witness signs a witness statement the investigating police officer’s must
always explain to whomever is filling out the form: the perjury clause before
they make the statement.
• A statement taken in this form meets the legal requirements, and so they may
not have needed to attend court:
• But you must make it clear the Home Office cannot guarantee they will not
have to attend the court because the court and the defendant have the right to
call any witness to attend and give oral evidence.
When any police officer questions the witness they must make sure of the
following: ask all relevant questions to satisfy their duty under the Criminal
Procedure and Investigations Act 1996, so to be able to pursue all reasonable
lines of enquiry whether they point towards or away from the suspect.
The Antisocial Behaviour Order (ASBO) Witness Statements Do Not
Contain Signature of Truth: -
PRACTICE DIRECTION 22 – STATEMENTS OF TRUTH
Documents to be verified by a Statement of Truth are: -
1.1
Rule 22.1(1) set’s out the documents which must be verified by a statement of
truth. The documents include: -
(1) A statement of case,
(2) A response complying with an order under rule 18.1 to provide further
information,
(3) A witness statement,
1.2