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The Police and the Prison Services
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The Police, Criminal Prosecutions and the Prison Services
On this page you will find information on the police, your rights at the police station, the criminal prosecution procedure, the prison service and rehabilitation of offenders. This page also provides help and guidance for witnesses and victims of crime.
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The Police
The Home Office - Police
The Home Office department of government is responsible for the Police in England and Wales.
The Police unit of the Home Office is responsible for police standards and operational policy. General enquiries about police procedures can be made to the Home Office Department but more specific enquiries about policing in your area should be made direct to your local police department.
Website: http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk
Address: Home Office:
Direct Communications Unit
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
Telephone: 0207 035 4848
Email: public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
The Police
The Police put the Home Office Police policies into practice and should be contacted for information on more practical policing matters in your area, such as crime reduction. Minor, non-emergency crimes may be reported via their website. The national police website includes the ‘Directgov’ search facility which provides access to general information about public services, including the Police.
National Police Website: www.police.uk
Norfolk Constabulary Website:
www.norfolk.police.uk
Contact Information: In an emergency call 999.
Norfolk Constabulary Headquarters:
Address: Norfolk Constabulary
Operations and Communications Centre
Jubilee House
Falconers Chase
Wymondham
Norfolk
NR18 0WW
Telephone (Non-emergency): 0845 456 4567
Email (General Enquiries): enquiries@norfolk.pnn.police.uk
Norwich Police Station:
Address: Bethel Street
Norwich
NR2 1NN
Telephone (Non-emergency): 0845 4564567
Email: NorwichCityCentreSector@norfolk.pnn.police.uk
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Police Procedures
The Police must comply with certain procedures when investigating crimes and making arrests. These procedures are contained in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) and the corresponding Code of Practice. The aim of PACE and the Code of Practice is to strike a balance between the powers of the police and the rights and freedoms of the public. The legality of police actions may be challenged if they do not comply with PACE.
Police Procedure following arrest
Below is a summary of key rights that you have if you have been arrested and are held in police custody:
The right to have someone informed of your arrest.
The right to consult privately with a solicitor and the right to free and independent legal advice.
The right to read the PACE Code of Practice.
A vulnerable person may not be interviewed without the presence of an “appropriate adult” (parent, guardian, social worker or volunteer).
If required, an interpreter must be made available.
A notice of your rights and entitlements under PACE is available from the Police department of the Home Office:
http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/news-and-publications/publication/operational-policing/notice-of-rights/
A copy of PACE, the Code of Practice and other documents concerning your rights and police powers are also available from the Home Office:
http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/operational-policing/powers-pace-codes/pace-codes.html
The Police must comply with certain procedures when investigating crimes and making arrests. These procedures are contained in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) and the corresponding Code of Practice. The aim of PACE and the Code of Practice is to strike a balance between the powers of the police and the rights and freedoms of the public. The legality of police actions may be challenged if they do not comply with PACE.
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Prosecution
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
The CPS is the Government department responsible for prosecuting criminal cases which have been investigated by the police in England and Wales. The CPS also publishes information and factsheets on the criminal justice process, criminal offences and support for the victims and witnesses of crime.
The role of the CPS is to:
Advise the police on cases for possible prosecution.
Review cases investigated by the police and decide whether or not to prosecute (except in very minor cases).
Prepare and present the prosecution’s case in court.
Website: www.cps.gov.uk
National Contact Information:
Provides general information on the CPS and guidance on who to contact for further information in your area.
Address: CPS Correspondence Unit
50 Ludgate Hill
London
EC4M 7EX
Telephone: 020 7796 8500
Email for enquiries: enquiries@cps.gsi.gov.uk
Email for complaints: complaints@cps.gsi.gov.uk
Local Contact Information: Norwich Regional Office:
Address: Carmelite House
St James Court
Whitefriars
Norwich
Norfolk NR3 1SL
Telephone: 01603 693000
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Prisons
Her Majesty’s Prison Service
The Prison Service is the government organisation responsible for running and co-ordinating the prisons in England and Wales. The Service provides information on;
How prisons are run.
Contact information for all prisons in England and Wales.
Support and advice for prisoners and their families and friends, including how to keep in touch.
Details of groups offering support on a number of relevant issues, such as addiction, prison transfer, education and training, rehabilitation and resettlement.
Prisoner Location: www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/adviceandsupport/keepingintouch/locationservice
Website: www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk
Contact Information:
Address: Parliamentary, Correspondence and Briefing Unit
HM Prison Service Headquarters
Cleland House
Page Street
London
SW1P 4LN
National Probation Service
The Probation Service is a law enforcement agency and public authority with control over probation issues and services ion England and Wales. The Service works with offenders in programmes designed to reduce the chances of re-offending and assists in sentencing and release decisions.
Website: www.probation.homeoffice.gov.uk
National Enquiries and Contact Information:
Address: National Probation Directorate
Horseferry House
Dean Ryle Street
London
SW1P 2AW
Telephone: 020 7217 0659
Email: Public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Local Enquiries and Contact Information:
Address: 4th Floor
St James Yarn Mill
Whitefriars
Norwich
NR3 1SU
Telephone: 01603 220100
Prison and Probation Ombudsmen
The Prison and Probation Ombudsmen are independent of both the Prison Service and the Probation Service, and is responsible for investigation complaints made by prisoners and those subject to probation supervision, or those upon whom reports have been written. Their website provides guidance on how to make a complaint about the prison and probation services in England and wales.
Website: www.ppo.gov.uk
Contact Information:
Address: Prison and Probation Ombudsman
Ashley House
2 Monck Street
London
SW1P 2BQ
Telephone: 020 7035 2876 or 0845 010 7938 (lo-call)
Email: mail@ppo.gsi.gov.uk
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Offenders and Resettlement
National Offender Management Service (NOMS)
NOMS is a government body bringing together the work of the ‘correctional services’, including prisons and probation. NOMS is based around a scheme called offender management, run by offender managers with responsibility for providing services to and supervising offenders, whether in custody or the community.
Website: www.noms.homeoffice.gov.uk
National Contact Information:
Address: Home Office
National Offender Management Service
3rd Floor
Fry Building
2 Marsham Street
London, SW1P 4DF
Telephone: 020 7035 4848
Email: NOMS@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Regional Offender Manager for the East of England:
Address: Unit 6, The Office Village
Cygnet Park
Cygnet Way
Hampton
Peterborough
PE 7 8FD
Telephone: 01733 425 203
NACRO, Crime Reduction Charity
NACRO is a national charity with the aim of reducing crime by providing opportunities and advice to ex-offenders. The charity provides services for offenders, including resettlement and housing.
Website: www.nacro.org.uk
Contact Information:
Address: 169 Clapham Road
London
SW9 OPU
Telephone: 020 7582 6500
Email: helpline@nacro.org.uk
Norfolk Acro (Association for the Care & Resettlement of Offenders)
Norfolk ACRO is an organisation providing help and opportunities for ex-offenders in the local area. Services includes Project 91 (the Norfolk Offender Accommodation and Employment Project) and a learning and activity scheme in partnership with City College.
Contact Information:
Address: St Martin at Palace Centre
15 Martin at Palace Centre
Norwich
Norfolk
NR3 1RW
Telephone: 01603 763555
Email: info@norfolkacro.org
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Victims and Witnesses of Crime
National Offender Management Service Victim Helpline
If you are a victim of crime or are related to a victim and have received unwanted contact (by letter or telephone) from a prisoner or are worried about their release from prison you can contact the Prison Service Victim Helpline for advice and support.
Contact Information:
Address: National Offender Management Service Victim Helpline
P.O. Box 4278
Birmingham
B15 1SA
Telephone: 0845 7585 112
Victim Support
Victim Support is a national charity with the aim of helping and supporting those affected be crime, whether as a victim or a witness, and whether or not the crime has been reported to the police.
Website: www.victimsupport.org.uk
Victim Support Line: 0845 30 30 900
Email: supportline@victimsupport.org.uk
Victims of crime
The charity provides help and support services, information on police and court procedures and information on specific crimes. They can offer advice on a number of different issues and may also be contacted for support.
National Contact Information:
Address: Victim Support
Cranmer House
39 Brixton Road
London
SW9 6DZ
Telephone: 020 7735 9166
Email: contact@victimsupport.org.uk
Norfolk Area Office Contact Information:
Address: Victim Support Norfolk
Area Office
6 Taverners Square
Silver Road
Norwich
Norfolk
NR3 4SY
Telephone: 01603 629 577
Email: area.office.vsnorfolk@virgin.net
Local Contact Information: Victim Support Norwich & District provides services to residents of: NR1; NR2; NR3; NR4; NR5; NR6; NR7; NR8; NR9; NR10
Address: Victim Support Norwich & District
1A Silver Road
Norwich
Norfolk
NR3 4TX
Telephone: 01603 767 383
Email: Helen.frayer.vsnorfolk@virgin.net
The Witness Service
Victim support can also give advice and information to witnesses of crime, including the procedure and what is required when giving evidence in court.
Local Contact Information:
Address: Norwich Crown Court Witness Service
The Law Courts
Bishopsgate
Norwich
Norfolk
NR3 1UR
Telephone: 01603 766 289
Address: Norwich Magistrates' Court Witness Service
Bishopgate
Norwich
Norfolk
NR3 1UP
Telephone: 01603 632 299
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