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Stand Up 4 Your Rights Under Arrest Disability - Access All Areas I Don't Need This Abuse In Confidence Environmental Concerns Race Faith Employment Rights Right To Be Heard Are You Old Enough? Guide to Street Awareness Victim of Crime Victim of Crime Personal safety is always an important issue. Despite sometimes being labelled as 'thugs’, ‘yobs’ and ‘criminals’ young people are, in reality, actually more likely than adults to be victims of crime. Street crime The Personal safety section of this site gives you tips and advice for when you are out and about. Sometimes it is a case of taking precautions and keeping out of trouble. On other occasions moderating your own behaviour can help. Always:   take care. There are people who consider young people as easy targets   trust your instincts. As soon as a situation seems dodgy or you feel uncomfortable - get out! Harrassment Everybody has the right to go about their life without fear. The Protection Against Harassment Act makes it a criminal offence to make another person fear that violence will be used against them. Those who cause harassment can receive a fine or imprisonment. Hate crime is a hatred or dislike of a person or group of people because of their sex, racial heritage, religion, disability or sexual orientation. Incidents can be reported on the online hate crime reporting form at www.avonandsomerset.police.uk or at www.report-it.org.uk. Domestic violence If you are a victim of violence at home you could talk to a police domestic violence officer. This could be any form of mental, emotional, sexual or physical violence involving a close relative or partner. Call Avon and Somerset Police on 0845 456 7000. Support from the police Whenever you report a crime to the police you should tell them:   as much information as you can about the offence.   if you are worried about your safety. This way they can give you support and advice   if you change your address or phone number so they can keep you informed.   any changes you have noticed (such as something else missing or damaged)   if the offence was made worse by racial abuse or hatred directed at you. The police will try and catch the criminal but they may not always succeed. Even if they have a suspect there may not be enough evidence to charge the person. If charges are brought case is taken over by the Crown Prosecution Service (which is separate from the police). The CPS decides whether there is enough evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction. Appearing as a witness Victims of crime under the age of 17 who appear in court can have video links from another room if they do not want to go into the court room. Alternatively screens can be used to separate them from the offender. Compensation In some cases it may be possible to get compensation for injuries or loss. There are different ways to go about this. You could ask the police or speak to your local Citizens Advice Bureau (see Your Town/Area for contact details). Helpful organisations Victim Support www.victimsupport.org.uk confidential support and information for people who have suffered crime. Helpline: 0845 3030900 Victim Support Somerset – local branch of the above: 01460 55535 Courts Witness Service – help from Victim Support if you are appearing in court as a witness (covers most courts in Somerset): 01823 351150 Crimestoppers allows people to contact the police anonymously - day or night - with information about crime or criminals. Call 0800 555111 The Suzy Lamplugh Trust www.suzylamplugh.org practical information, guidance and leaflets on personal safety in all situations. Call 020 7091 0014 Helping the victim of YOUR crime What if you have committed a crime? How can you help your victim? If you are under the age of 18, and responsible for committing a crime, the Youth Offending Team (YOT) will be involved. YOT will contact with you to find out your views about the crime and whether there is any way in which you, as the offender, can make amends. One way may be to repair the damage you have done. Another could be to write a letter of apology. You may even want to ask for YOT to arrange a conference where you can meet the victim and put your point of view in a safe environment. In this case you would be encouraged to bring your parents or a friend with you. Click here to read what happened to someone who was caught starting fires. Click here to read what happened to someone who was caught shoplifting. Click here to read about someones experience with alcohol. Click here to read about Keri's experience with alcohol. Return to top of page Make text larger Make text smaller Text Only Display Disclaimer