The consultation, which was announced last week, is looking at ways to strengthen the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime. The code sets out a minimum level of service victims can expect from criminal justice agencies.
Under new proposals from the Ministry of Justice, greater clarity would be given to victims about their rights including the right to make a victim personal statement (VPS) to police when a witness statement is given.
Sam Coldbeck, of Premier Wharfedale in Hull, said any increased support of victims is positive, and retailers need to understand the “power” of mechanisms like VPS.
“Retailers don’t like to see themselves as victims. We are hardworking people, but painting a picture of how retailers are suffering is important,” she said.
Retailers call on police for greater consistency when tackling crime
Coldbeck added that, in her store, she reports every single crime online. “It couldn’t be easier to report crime online and, regardless of whether the police take it further, it becomes part of a wider statistic,” she said.
The consultation launch comes in the same week as figures published by the Office for National Statistics showed a 7% increase in violence resulting in injury in England and Wales compared with March 2018.
NFRN national president Stuart Reddish told Better Retailing: “We welcome this initial consultation about revisions into the code. While we do not want to see retailers becoming crime victims, it is important that, if they do, they receive the level of support and the service that they deserve.”
The Ministry of Justice consultation ends on 11 September.
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