The Witness Intermediaries Scheme, which matches communication specialists to the special needs of witnesses, will be part of the NPIA's Specialist Operations Centre. It offers support to witnesses who need help to communicate their evidence, including children under 17, and people with a mental disorder or learning disability, or with a physical disability or physical disorder. Tom McArthur, NPIA Director of Operations, said: "It is vitally important that people feel confident in coming forward to give evidence and that they receive the necessary support in doing so. "Intermediaries play an important role in improving access to justice for some of the most vulnerable people in society, giving them a voice within the criminal justice process. They help children and adults who have communication difficulties to understand the questions that are put to them and to have their answers understood, enabling them to achieve their best evidence for police and the courts. "In some cases the work of the intermediary can be crucial in successfully detecting and prosecuting a crime. "The transfer of the Witness Intermediaries Scheme is recognition of the valuable contribution that the NPIA is playing in supporting the police service in tackling crime and increasing public safety." Transferring the Witness Intermediaries Scheme into the NPIA's Specialist Operations Centre will allow the NPIA to enhance the operational support provided to policing. The National Vulnerable Witness and Intermediary Adviser will oversee the scheme and provide support to police officers dealing with vulnerable witnesses, especially with their interview strategies. The Witness Intermediaries Scheme receives an average of 120 requests per month for support, with around 75% coming from the police service. It has supported more than 3,000 vulnerable people to date. Registered intermediaries are selected for their specialist skills and experience as speech and language therapists, psychologists, teachers, health professionals and social workers. An intermediary played an important role in helping a 16-year-old rape victim with a learning disability to give compelling evidence about her ordeal that led to three London men, Rogel McMorris, Jason Brew and Hector Muaimba, being jailed earlier this year. The matching service of the Witness Intermediaries Scheme transfers from the Office of Criminal Justice Reform (OCJR). The recruitment and registration process which ensures that intermediaries are qualified and vetted will continue to be managed by OCJR. NPIA is a single national organisation created to support effective policing. It provides expertise in areas as diverse as information and communications technology, support to information and intelligence sharing, core police processes, managing change and recruiting, developing and deploying people.
Notes to Editor
NPIA works for the police service and is governed by a tripartite board comprising ACPO, APA, Home Office and independent members.
Contacts
For further information contact the NPIA Press Office on 020 7147 8308/ 8297/8424/8310. If out of hours please call 07827 309361.
