Desperately seeking safety - Witnesses' experiences of intimidation, protection and relocation

The role of witnesses in assisting police investigations and giving evidenc e in court is crucial to the success of criminal prosecutions. Since the mi d-1990s, however, there has been growing concern in the UK about the intimi dation of witnesses aimed at deterring them from reporting crime or giving evidence. Drawing on in-depth interviews with prosecution witnesses subject to very serious and, in some cases, life-threatening intimidation, this pa per examines the nature of the intimidation these witnesses suffered and it s impact on their lives. rn those cases where witnesses and their families were permanently relocated away from their home area by one of a growing nu mber of 'witness protection programmes' run by the police, this paper consi ders the difficulties these witnesses face in rebuilding their lives in a n ew community.