A NEW Witness Care Unit will be officially launched in Chippenham next month to provide support to witnesses in Wiltshire.
The unit, made up of police and Crown Prosecution Service staff, will be launched on February 7 at the CPS offices in Chippenham.
The scheme aims to provide witnesses with more protection from intimidation and more help in getting to Chippenham Magistrates' Court and Swindon Crown Court.
It will help witnesses find childcare help, help with languages and give support to witnesses with health problems.
It can also book taxis for disabled people and offer information about public transport.
It is part of a Government move to increase public confidence in criminal justice, announced by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, last year.
Solicitor General Harriet Harman met members of the Wiltshire CPS to discuss the unit last week.
At present 15.5 per cent of magistrates' court trials do not go ahead in Wiltshire, which is one of the lowest levels in the country.
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