Mark speaks up for victims of crime

3.30.59pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 13th Jun 2006

Mark is seeking justice for victims of crime

Local MP, Mark Hunter - a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Victims of Crime - today attended a special meeting in the House of Commons with the Chief Executive of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), Howard Webber.

The Cheadle MP quizzed Mr Webber on the length of time often taken before applications for compensation can be resolved. Whilst accepting that all such applications from victims of crime have to be carefully considered on their individual merits, MPs were disturbed to learn that cases were unlikely to take less than 10 months before resolution and an award made. The Authority says it is working hard to reduce the time taken, but says many cases are extremely complex and can require months of investigation.

"As a strong supporter of the all party group on Victims of Crime, I welcome the opportunity to put our concerns over undue delays directly to the Chief Executive of CICA. Even though I have been MP for Cheadle for just less than a year, I have already had several constituents approach me regarding delays in obtaining financial compensation where it is due. These individual cases involve people who have already suffered considerable distress and they are entitled to expect that their cases will be dealt with promptly and efficiently. I intend to keep up the pressure to ensure that Victims of Crime are properly compensated and without undue delay" said Mark.

"People who have been victim of violent crime deserve swift justice not the delays and bureaucracy that dog the system at present", Mark added.

Notes:

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority administers the criminal injuries compensation scheme throughout England, Scotland and Wales. They pay compensation to people who have been the victim of a violent crime.