Victim of Crime?

Information on compensation for victims of crime

If your injuries have been caused as the result of a violent crime then you may be able to make an application to the Government's Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority for compensation.

In 1964 the Government established a non-departmental public body - the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB) to administer compensation throughout Great Britain on the basis of common law damages to victims of a crime of violence. 

Call now on 0800 1777 292 or Claim Online!

In 1996 the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) was established to administer a new tariff-based scheme which came into effect for all applications received on or after 1 April 1996. When the new scheme was introduced it was noted that it would "not be intended to give full compensation, but should be an expression of public sympathy to victims of violent crime". Unlike general damages in civil proceedings the level of award is now calculated on a strict tariff level. There are 25 tariff levels, ranging from £1,000 up to £250,000, and 200 injury groupings showing which level they fall into and standard amount of criminal injuries compensation. You'll find them all on the CICA site (www.cica.gov.uk), in the Guide to the Scheme (you'll need Adobe Acrobat to read it). Your claim, if accepted, must be assessed at least at Level 1 - £1,000.

Here are just a few examples of the tariffs

Loss of Ear    Level 13    £10,000 (standard amount)
Displaced fracture of the nasal bones     Level 3    £1,500 (standard amount)
Neck whiplash (lasting 6 - 13 weeks)    Level 1    £1,000 (standard amount)
Non-consensual intercourse (rape)    Level 12    £7,500 (standard amount)

You need to make your application for compensation on the appropriate application form, which you can usually obtain on their website. You can also get copies from either of their two offices, but applications should be sent to the Glasgow address.

• CICA
  Tay House
  300 Bath Street
  GLASGOW
  G2 4LN
  
  Telephone 0141 331-2726
  Fax 0141 331-2287
  Ecophone Text 0141 331-2726
  

• CICA
  Morley House
  26-30 Holburn Viaduct
  LONDON
  EC1A 2JQ
  
  Telephone - 0207 842 6800
  Fax 0207 436 0804

Northern Ireland has its own Scheme and details can be obtained from:

The Compensation Agency
Royston House
34 Upper Queen Street
BELFAST
BT1 6FD .

Telephone - 01232 249944

In order to qualify for an award your injury must be directly applicable to a crime of violence or an offence of trespass on a railway or an attempted apprehension of an offender and must have taken place in Great Britain (or Channel Tunnel). There does not need to be a conviction or even for the culprit to be found, but it makes the process easier if both are satisfied. You must generally apply within 2 years of the date of the incident.

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