Victim of Crime
Life Events
Ever been a victim of crime?
Being a victim of crime can affect people in different ways
Reporting Crime - Support for the Victims of Crime
- Going to Court
- Compensation
- Young People and Crime
- Crime Prevention
- Domestic Violence
Reporting Crime
In an emergency you should always ring 999. Minicom 0800 112 999
The telephone number for reporting crime in the Greater Manchester area is 0161 872 5050.
You can notify the police of non emergency minor crimes online at www.online.police.uk 
If you want to go to your local police station, details can be found on our Tameside Police webpage.
If you would like to report a crime anonymously you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or you can visit the website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Have you been burgled in the last twelve months?
If you've been burgled in the past 12 months we would like to hear from you. Tame Valley Partnership supported by Tameside Council have secured Government funding to operate a scheme aimed at reducing the number of domestic burglaries in Tameside. They can give useful information and in some cases free security information. View more information on this scheme.
Support for the Victims of Crime
Victim Support
Tameside Victim Support is a voluntary organisation that gives support and advice to the victims of crime. The police should give your details to your local Victim Support unless you ask them not to and Victim Support will contact you. However, you can contact Victim Support yourself.
You can visit the website at www.victimsupport-tameside.co.uk/
0161 339 1190 
info@victimsupport-tameside.co.uk
Going to Court
If you are called to be a witness at court you will be sent a copy of the leaflet ' Witness in Court' which will explain what will happen.
You can read extracts of this leaflet at http://www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/victims/victims26.htm
For information on all aspects of court business visit the website www.courtservice.gov.uk
Victim Support
Tameside Victim Support offer a witness service for people attending Tameside Magistrates Court. They will give you support before, during and after the trial and help you to claim out of pocket expenses. They also have a separate waiting room where you can wait until it is time for you to give evidence.
You can contact them 0161 339 9362 or witnessservice.tameside@ukf.net
Compensation
If you are wanting to claim compensation for property that has been damaged or stolen you should keep a record of the costs of repairing or replacing your property. Also keep any receipts, estimates or any other documents relating to your property.
If you have been injured and are wanting to claim compensation you should keep a record of any extra expenses that you have incurred, for example medical expenses or loss of earnings. Also you will need to keep a note of any income that you have received as a result of the offence for example social security benefits.
Compensation from the offender
If the offender is convicted in a criminal court then the court may order the offender to to pay you compensation for any injury, loss or damage which you may have suffered because of the offence. You cannot apply for this compensation yourself. It is important that you tell the police that you would like to receive compensation. They will then give you a form on which you should record accurate details of your losses.
Whether or not the offender is convicted in the criminal courts, you can sue the offender for damages in a civil court. You can find out more about this from your local Citizen's Advice Bureau or your solicitor.
Find details of solicitors in Tameside here.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme
If you have been injured as a result of a violent crime, you may be entitled to a payment under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. It does not matter whether the offender has been caught.
For more information about the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority you can visit the website at www.cica.gov.uk
You do not need legal advice or representation to apply for compensation but if you feel you need assistance you can obtain advice from the Citizen's Advice Bureau or Victim Support.
There is a leaflet available that explains more about this scheme. The leaflet "Victims of Crimes of Violence, a guide to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme" is available from police, Victim Support or from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, Tay House, 300 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4JR
Alternatively you can download a PDF version of the leaflet at www.cica.gov.uk/nonhtdocs/guide_inj_comp2001.pdf 
Victims of uninsured and untraced drivers
If you suffer injury, loss or damage to property as a result of a road traffic incident involving a motor vehicle and the driver is not insured, compensation for personal injury and damage to property may be available from the Motor Insurers' Bureau.
To claim you need to contact the Motor Insurers' Bureau, 152 Silbury Boulevard, Central Milton Keynes, MK9 1NG. Telephone 01908 830001
You can find further advice in the leaflet 'Victims of Uninsured and Untraced Drivers' which is available from Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, Road Safety Division, Zone 2/14, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR
Please Note: You cannot get compensation for the same thing from public funds twice. Therefore, if you succeed in getting compensation from a criminal court, the Criminal Injuries Board and/or the Motor Insurers' Bureau then the award may be reduced to avoid double payment.
Young People and Crime
Tameside Youth Offending Team deal with young people with the aim of preventing offending by young people in the Tameside area. They give the victims of crime committed by young people the chance to be heard.
View more information on the work of the Youth Offending Team.
Crime Prevention
The council have put together a number of pages with hints and tips on preventing crimes in a number of different situations.
View Cracking Crime - A Practical Guide to Home Security.
First Call
- Are you over 60 years old?
- Do you live in Tameside?
Then you may be able to make use of First Call. First Call is a joint initiative between Tameside Council and Age Concern. The scheme has a team or specially selected and trained volunteers that can carry out a range of tasks including fitting security items like doorlocks, chains and viewers.
More information on First Call.
Tameside Community Alarm Service
Are you Disabled? Elderly? Frail? Alone? Then you may benefit from Tameside Community Alarm Service.
Tameside Council Crime and Disorder Reduction
Tameside Council have been awarded Beacon Status for its effective work in reducing Crime and Disorder in its town centres. Find out more on Crime and Disorder and other schemes throughout the borough that the Council is committed to.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence can take many forms, it can be physical, emotional, sexual or mental abuse. These acts take place within a relationship with a known person, usually a partner or an ex partner. Over 90% of reported cases of domestic violence are by men against women. However, women can also be guilty of violence against a partner and domestic violence can also occur within same sex relationships.
The Government have publications on how to get help for yourself or a friend. The leaflets are available to view on the Home Office website www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime-victims/reducing-crime/domestic-violence/
Domestic Violence and the Law
In October 1997, Part IV of the Family Law Act 1996 came into force changing the civil laws dealing with domestic violence. www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts1996/1996027.htm