Police should see all crime victims

Reported by teletext on Saturday, 21 November 2009 (on November 21, 2009)

Every victim of crime should be visited by the police, irrespective of how serious the offence, Home Secretary Alan Johnson has indicated.Launching the first national television advertising campaign to explain what the public can expect from their local force, he said his "gut" instinct was every victim should be seen and spoken to by an officer.The Home Office also confirmed criminals will be "named and shamed" by forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from next month.Official guidelines to be issued by the Ministry of Justice will set out to police and councils that they should routinely publish information about offenders and the sentences they receive.Mr Johnson accepted there might be "practical" reasons why not all victims could be seen in person.But he said: "My gut reaction is that a victim of crime should be seen and should be spoken to. There may be practical reasons why you can't have a general commitment that covers all crime no matter how minor - there may be practical difficulties involved in that. But I think in general the principle and the sentiment is absolutely right."The Dorset force is already picturing offenders on their "Behind Bars" website, with details of their crime, when they were sentenced and for how long.Louise Casey, the Government's Crime Tsar, said: "We need to make sure there is very clear guidance to all police and local authorities... about how they proportionately - but they should - have information about what has happened to convicted criminals in the public domain."The campaign will cost �1.9 million and involve television, radio and online advertisements leaflet drops and advertorials in women's magazines in November and December.Six million households will receive leaflets outlining their rights, what they can expect from the police, and what happens if they are a victim of crime.

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LADYjNSHA i jus witnessed a crime so if any police are following me you should arrest these two **s that made-out in wal mart... SO FUCKIN GROSS !!! 4 days ago* mikebrice @natecarlisle Yes @sltrib should have and still should pursue police angle. Garn admits to crime possibly worse but no charges pressed. Why? 4 days ago daniel14159 Dear small town police dept: Having a midi sound file of "Bad Boys" autoplaying on your web site isn't a crime, but should be. 4 days ago simonhughes1972 Taking a bird to Nandos RT @The_OC: what is it a crime for a man to commit? One that should result in action by the man police? 5 days ago The_OC Reminder todays homework what is it a crime for a man to commit? One that should result in action by the man police? 5 days ago JannaKoppel The Metro Police are the reason for crime in this country, this is such a disgrace! These ppl should be accountable for what they have done! 6 days ago