Witness Intimidation
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 the trial, you should tell the police immediately.
The Crown Prosecution Service and the Police now work more closely together on witness care and can protect the identity of a witness during the investigation as well as during the early stages of the prosecution process. In exceptional cases a witness' identity can be protected during the trial itself.
Witness Protection
In exceptional cases it is possible, where necessary, to relocate witnesses. The National Witness Mobility Service works with Local Authorities and social landlords. In addition, law enforcement agencies will, in the most extreme cases, assist witnesses through the use of witness protection programmes.