Knife crime witnesses to get same support as victims

WITNESSES to knife murders and serious violence are to be offered the same free support as victims following the killing of a 23-year-old in front of children as young as three, the Ministry of Justice has announced.

David Gauke, the Justice Secretary, said there was increasing evidence that witnesses could suffer severe psychological trauma and should have access to the same specialist support as victims of crime. Witnesses to killings will be able to get support from the government-funded National Homicide Service, which offers help from counselling to legal advice.

Unlike current schemes offered by police, it will be open to those who are not directly involved in police investigations and prosecutions.

It follows cases such as the death of Glendon Spence, 23, who was stabbed at a Brixton youth club in front of boys aged three who had been watching a football training session involving children aged five to eight. Their parents later complained that the children had not been offered any support despite being traumatised by the “terrifying” experience.

David Gauke, who chaired the fourth day of the Downing Street summit on knife crime, said: “By improving the treatment of witnesses, through enhanced support from the National Homicide Service and more proactive interventions with vulnerable young people, all those affected by serious violence can have confidence that the justice system will stand by them and ensure criminals are brought to justice.”

The new service will be trialled in London with murder victims before it will be considered for a nationwide roll-out and an extension to victims of violent crime.