Witness protection and special measures

Old Bailey court 16

Most people think witness protection is all about taking on new identities and moving to safe houses, but there are a whole range of special measures police can apply for to protect vulnerable witnesses.

These precautions are not nearly as drastic, and mean police can safeguard witnesses without disrupting their lifestyle. It could be as simple as getting a typographer to take notes on the interview rather than it being tape recorded.

Usually police use a combination of methods, but here are the four most commonly used measures. It's important to note that even after a case has been closed police continue to protect the witness.

Changing the name of the witness

As soon as this has been requested, the witness is given a new name that bares no relevance to their actual identity. From that point onwards the witness is referred to by their new name. Only one police officer will ever know the witness's true name, and at no point will it be revealed, either in documents, interviews or court.

If police are worred about the consequences of a witness being identified when testifying in court, screens can be put up to shield them. Similar precautions are taken for getting the witness into court, such as using alternative routes to ensure that people don't ever see the person giving evidence.

Special voice distortion technology means a witness can give their evidence without anyone recognising their age, gender, ethnic background or regional accent. The witness will sit behind a screen and speak through a voice manipulation system. which alters their pitch. This is often routed so only the judge, jury and barristers hear the witness's real voice.

It's now possible for witnesses to give evidence through a video link that distorts their image. This replaces the written statement and is pre-recorded. The prosecution and defence can also examine the witness via the video link. This conversation is live and can be carried out in a special private part of the court. It can also be linked up to a person's home.

All witnesses aged under 17 at the time of the hearing in a Crown Court are entitled to have their video-recorded evidence played at the trial and to be examined by video link.

You can find out more about what happens if you're called as a witness on the Directgov website.