TWO care units opened in the North-East yesterday offering greater support for crime witnesses.
The units, in Sunderland and Newcastle, add to the already successful witness care units in the north of the region.
The centres offer support for victims and witnesses, from charges through to sentencing.
Their opening coincides with the national publication of the Government's Witness Charter, which outlines the proposed standards of care that witnesses and victims can expect to receive from the Criminal Justice Service.
Nicola Reasbeck, of the Northumbria Criminal Justice Board, said: "Without their willingness to report crime and, if necessary, to give evidence in court, it would be much harder to bring offenders to justice.''
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