My close relative has been killed 

The sudden, violent loss of a close relative can be very hard to cope with. It often brings practical problems too.  

If they were a victim of murder or manslaughter

The police will appoint a family liaison officer to investigate the crime and support you and your family. With your permission, they’ll also refer you to the National Homicide Service which can arrange: 

• immediate help, such as assisting with the funeral
• counselling
• specialist support, such as trauma therapy or housing advice
• support from people who’ve been through the same experience
• access to legal advice, such as guardianship of the victim’s children

If they were a victim of a road crime

The police will give you an information pack and put you in touch with Brake, the national road safety charity. 

You can call Brake’s helpline directly on 0808 8000 401.

Extra support through the criminal justice process

You’ll be entitled to support from organisations like the police and courts as set out in the Victims’ Code. That means you can: 

• make a Victim Personal Statement so the court understands how the crime has affected you
• be kept informed about what’s happening with the suspect within 1 working day of a decision being made
• meet the lawyer from the Crown Prosecution Service before and after the case is presented in court
• join the Victim Contact Scheme, if the offender goes to prison for 12 months or more