I'm being threatened
Witness intimidation before, during or after a trial, is an offence
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Many witnesses are afraid of going to court and giving evidence because they think it could put them at risk of repeat or revenge attacks from the offender or their associates (for example, other members of a gang or friends or family of the offender).
It is a criminal offence for anyone to try and intimidate a witness before, during or after a trial. But even so, it does happen so it's understandable to be concerned.
If you have witnessed a crime and you are being threatened or intimidated - whether or not you've been asked to give evidence -you should call the police or the Crown Prosecution Service immediately, and ask for protection.
While we can't take care of your security ourselves, we can help by trying to make it easier or more comfortable for you to give evidence in court. One way we can do this for people who are being threated or intimidated is by asking to court to put special measures in place to help protect you during the trial. These have to be agreed by a judge or magistrate, but can include things such as giving your evidence by video link or from behind a screen in court so that you don't have to come face-to-face with the defendant or to prevent them seeing you altogether.