Know your rights as a victim of crime

You must apply to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority within two years of the incident. CICA can exercise discretion to accept late applications in exceptional circumstances — for example, where the applicant was a child at the time, or where there are particular reasons why the application could not reasonably have been made earlier. The incident must have been reported to the police, and you must have cooperated with the police investigation.

The Victims' Code is a statutory document setting out the minimum level of service that victims of crime in England and Wales should receive from criminal justice agencies including the police, Crown Prosecution Service, HM Courts and Tribunals Service, and the National Probation Service. Key entitlements include being referred to support services, being kept informed of case progress, being notified of the defendant's sentence and release, and being able to make a victim personal statement to the court.

It depends on how you paid. From October 2024, the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) requires banks and payment service providers to reimburse victims of authorised push payment (APP) fraud — where you were tricked into transferring money — up to £85,000 in most cases, unless the victim was grossly negligent. If you paid by credit or debit card, chargeback and Section 75 claims may also be available. Report to Action Fraud immediately and contact your bank to start a claim.

A restraining order is a civil order imposed by the criminal court (under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 or the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004) either after conviction or even acquittal of a defendant, to protect a victim from further harassment or harm. The Crown Prosecution Service typically applies for the order, but victims can make representations about what protection they need. A separate non-molestation order can also be obtained through the family court.