Criminal Injuries Compensation

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme provides compensation to victims of violent crimes (including violence within the family), to people hurt while trying to arrest offenders and prevent offences and to those bereaved as a result of violence. Compensation is assessed on the basis of common law damages and usually takes the form of a lump-sum payment. In 1986—87 just fewer than 29,600 cases were resolved by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and over £48 million was paid in compensation. Under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 the courts' powers to make compensation orders are to be extended and the Criminal Inju­ries Compensation Scheme will be established on a statutory basis: this means that victims of violent crime will be entitled — for the first time — to compensation as of right.

In Northern Ireland there is separate, statutory provision in certain circumstances for compensation from public funds for criminal injuries, and for malicious damage to property including the resulting losses of profits.

There has been a rapid growth in the number of locally run victim support schemes, which offer practical help to the victims of crime on a voluntary basis. The Government provides financial assistance, both to local schemes and to a national association.