Only one in six crime victims are offered the opportunity to make impact statements in court, according to the victims’ commissioner for England and Wales, who is calling for legally enforceable rights.

Helen Newlove, whose husband Garry was beaten to death by a teenage gang in August 2007, has criticised the low level of support given to those wanting to make what are known as victim personal statements (VPS).

Just 17% of victims said they were invited to make a personal statement during the year ending March 2017 – a level of participation that has changed little in four years. In 56% of cases where victims were offered a chance, they took it up.

Three quarters of victims who made a statement said they felt it had been taken into account by the criminal justice system. Victims of violent crime and burglary were most likely to be invited to record their experiences.



Pensioners aged 65 to 74 were only half as likely to make a VPS compared with younger victims, according to the latest Crime Survey for England and Wales.

In some parts of England and Wales, the figures were even lower: in the north-west, Yorkshire and the Humber only one in 10 were offered the opportunity to make impact statements in court.

Lady Newlove said: “It’s the dearth of opportunity that must change if justice for victims is to mean anything at all. It’s not acceptable that only a small proportion get to have their say in court.



“Making a victim personal statement is an entitlement set out in the victims’ code of practice. It must not become a postcode lottery. The only way to finally settle this thorny issue is to deliver a victims’ law that delivers justice for everyone regardless of age, race, religion or region.

“Three quarters of victims who do make a statement would no doubt draw some comfort that their experience mattered. Those who don’t have the chance to do so are short-changed of their right to have their voices heard. This is neither fair nor right.”

Both Conservatives and Labour have promised to introduce legislation guaranteeing victims rights in the criminal justice system.



Garry Newlove died of his injuries two days after the attack. His wife Helen was given a peerage in 2010 and appointed victims’ commissioner two years later.



