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Calls during office hours

01609 643100

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Calls charged at standard rate for landlines and mobiles.

Need help outside of our office hours?

0808 168 9111

Call the national victim supportline, operating 24/7.

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Decision to charge

Once the police have completed their investigations, they ask the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for advice on how to proceed.

On certain cases the CPS will decide whether a suspect should be charged and what that charge should be in line with the Director of Public Prosecution guidelines. Police can also make decisions on a number of cases without reference to CPS. A victim has the right to appeal this decision.