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What is the Victims’ Right to Review Scheme?

If you’re not happy with this outcome of a crime investigation you can request your case to be formally reviewed by a senior police officer. This is known as victims’ right to review.

The Victims’ Right to Review Scheme gives victims of crime a Right to request a review of a police or Crown Prosecution Service decision not to prosecute, or to stop the case.

This applies to cases where an offence has occurred, a suspect has been interviewed and the police have made a decision to stop the investigation. It doesn’t cover crime-recording or those where enquiries have been discontinued.

You have the Right to request a review if the police decide: 

  • not to bring proceedings in cases where they have authority to charge; or where
  • the case doesn’t meet the test for referring the matter to the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision.

Before making a request for Victim’s Right to Review

If the police decide not to prosecute the suspect, you generally have the Right to be told within 5 working days of the decision of:

  • the reasons for the decision;
  • how you can get further information; 
  • how to seek a review and make representations under the National Police Chiefs’ Council Right to Review scheme; and
  • how to be referred to a support service.

How do I apply?

To request a formal review, you can contact the Criminal Justice Service, Victims’ Right to Review in the following ways:

Email: [email protected]

Post: West Midlands Police Headquarters, Lloyd House, Colmore Circus Queensway, Birmingham B4 6NQ, UK

In your request, you should include the following information:

  • Your full name.
  • Your postal address or email.
  • The incident number.
  • The location of the incident.
  • The date you were informed of the police decision not to prosecute.
  • Reasons you would like WMP to review the decision to not prosecute in your case.