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If you're a witness

Witnesses are an important part of the criminal justice system. You should report a crime you witness to the police.

Why witnesses are vital

Your help could have a real impact and prevent further crimes taking place, just as your evidence as a defence witness could ensure that innocent defendants are not convicted. Witnessing a crime can be upsetting, even if you aren't the victim.

You may be worried about what will happen if you report what you have seen. But your information could be vital to arresting criminals in your local area.

How to report a crime

There are a number of ways of reporting a crime:

  • in an emergency, dial 999
  • if you want to remain anonymous, dial the Crimestoppers helpline - 0800 555 111
  • for non-urgent matters drop in to your local police station or call the police on 0845 600 8000 - operators will pass your call on to your local police station
  • via the PSNI website (for minor and hate-related incidents only)
  • third party reporting - if you really do not wish to report the crime yourself, then someone else can report it for you

The police take crime seriously and you can expect to be treated with sensitivity and respect by them. If you are the victim of a crime, the police work hard to ensure that you are kept informed about what is happening with the investigation into the case. They will let you know about the support services that are available to you.

How the police will use your information

When you report a crime you have witnessed, you'll be asked to give a witness statement to the police. It may be some time before you know whether you'll need to go to court as cases can take a long time to prepare. If the case does go to court and you're required to give evidence, you will be contacted.

Identity parades

If you gave a detailed description of the person that you saw committing a crime when you gave your statement, you may be asked to go to an identity parade.

You'll be asked to pick out the person that you saw from a number of people from behind a one-way mirror, or you may be shown a number of images on a computer.

None of the people in the line-up, including the suspect, will be able to see you or be allowed to ask about who you are or where you live.

Attending court

If you're a witness who's not a victim, it's less likely that you'll be asked to provide evidence. However, you will probably have to give evidence in court if the defendant pleads 'not guilty' or denies an important part of the charge.

Support for witnesses

If you are a witness for the prosecution, help from the witness service will be available before, during and after the trial to ensure that you are well informed and supported. There are two types of witness service available in a number of courthouses in Northern Ireland:

The Witness Service is run for adult witnesses, by Victim Support NI (VSNI) and one for younger witnesses, under the age of 18 (the Young Witness Service) which is run by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).

The VSNI Witness Service is available to prosecution witnesses in all Crown, Magistrates’, Youth and County Courts. The NSPCC Young Witness Service is available to prosecution witnesses in all Crown and a number of Magistrates’, Youth and County Courts.

The aim of the Witness Service and the Young Witness Service is to enable prosecution witnesses and victims, along with their families and friends, to deal with the experience of attending court and giving evidence. Trained volunteers from the service provide a free and confidential service including:

  • someone to talk to in confidence
  • information on court procedures, the chance to visit the court before you have to give evidence, a quiet place to wait and other practical help
  • an accompanied visit to the court and, where possible, a look around the court room before you are called as a witness (if you are a defence witness, familiarisation visits can also be arranged for you)

Special measures

It's a criminal offence to intimidate or harass a witness. If this happens to you, you must tell the police immediately. In extreme circumstances, the police may allow you to avail of the witness protection scheme.

Vulnerable people - such as children under 17, people with learning disabilities and victims of sexual offences - sometimes need help giving evidence in court. People in situations like this may be allowed to use 'special measures' to help them give evidence.

These measures include:

  • an intermediary to help the witness understand what they're being asked in court and to give their evidence more clearly
  • screens to prevent witnesses from seeing the defendant
  • a live TV link, so witnesses don't have to give evidence in the courtroom

You should tell the police before attending court if you feel that you may need to use special measures.

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