VICTIMS of crime in Cambridgeshire now have a legal right to a recognised standard of service from authorities such as the police and law courts. Under the new Code of Practice for Victims of Crime, launched this week, individuals can expect to receive su

VICTIMS of crime in Cambridgeshire now have a legal right to a recognised standard of service from authorities such as the police and law courts.

Under the new Code of Practice for Victims of Crime, launched this week, individuals can expect to receive support, protection and information from all criminal justice agencies operating in the county. If victims feel the police and courts have not met their obligations, they now have the right to appeal to the Parliamentary Ombudsman through their MP.

Chief crown prosecutor for Cambridgeshire, Richard Crowley said: "When a victim of crime enters the criminal justice system they rightfully expect to receive a certain standard of service.

"The launch of the code clarifies what those standards are and enables victims to hold us to account for the services we provide."

The minimum services which victims can expect to receive include a dedicated family liaison police officer assigned to bereaved relatives and information about the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).