A NEW unit to advise and protect witnesses from intimidation has been launched in Wiltshire at the Crown Prosecution Service.

The Witness Care Unit has been set up in conjunction with Wiltshire Constabulary to provide witnesses with guidance and support throughout the criminal justice process.

The unit is based at the CPS offices in Malmesbury Road, Chippenham, and will be staffed by both CPS and police staff, together with volunteers from the Witness Service.

The MP for South Swindon, Julia Drown, launched the service last week watched by the chief Crown prosecutor for Wiltshire, Karen Harrold, the chairman of Victim Support, Francis Wakem, the police head of community safety, Superintendent Kevin Maidment and the Chief Constable for Wiltshire, Martin Richards.

Supt Maidment said: "The Witness Care Unit brings together the police, CPS and voluntary sector in a collaborative working arrangement.

"The unit will provide a personal service to victims and witnesses based on their individual needs.

"It is intended that this service will give confidence and reassurance to victims and witnesses, thus enabling them to support prosecutions.

"In the longer term it is anticipated that such an approach will improve public confidence and promote an increased willingness in supporting prosecutions and bringing offenders to justice."

Ms Harrold said at the press conference the new unit was much needed and pointed out that she had recently attended court as a witness and found it nerve-wracking even though she works in that environment. "Victims and witnesses have not always received the support or information they needed from the criminal justice system," she said.

"That must change as we cannot do justice unless witnesses are willing to report crime, feel safe and come forward to give the best evidence they can.

"However, attending court can be a daunting experience for anyone, so the Witness Care Unit staff are determined to ensure that victims and witnesses receive the support, protection, information and advice they need."

Concerns can range from worries about how much car parking time they will need to allow through to experiencing intimidation from those on trial or their supporters.

Witnesses are offered pre-trial visits before the trial starts when they look around the courtroom and ask any questions to feel more familiar with the surroundings.

The new unit can organise childcare, help with languages and give support to witnesses with health or travel problems.