Witnesses protection

[Mydarlingsleepthief]

Obviously I’m not asking people to endanger themselves by sharing information that is confidential, but has anyone met anyone/had to do it?

I have just finished a really good book about it and found it so interesting, but equally terrifying, thinking about the implications of having to leave your whole life behind.

I'd love to know what your book is OP as it's a very interesting subject. Have you seen the movie The Client? (it's an oldie)

Was the book how to disappear?

Yes it was! I really enjoyed it, I thought it was really well written!

I was thinking about this today. There was a programme on last night about the murder of Stephen Cameron. His girlfriend, who was 17 at the time eventually gave evidence that led to Kenneth Noye being jailed for many years.as a result, she had to change her identity. Apparently she has married and had had kids, but can only see her parents twice a year for her own safety. How awful must it be to have to cut off your past and never be able to contact extended family or old school friends. Nobody you can reminisce with. What a brave girl to make such a personal sacrifice.

I was once working at a magistrates’ court issuing various papers. One was a summons to do with a speeding offence. We were contacted by the local police who instructed us to bin the summons as the person I was supposed to send it to was in a witness protection scheme and they didn’t want any publicity around him. One and only time I’ve ever come across it.

@hastingsandchips I haven’t but will give it a go!

@GaryUnicorn - I believe she ID'd Noye in a bar in Spain for the police. Poor woman to have been through all of that then end up having to change her identity for her own protection.

I used to work in a pharmacy. We had a lady who had changed her name/identity through witness protection. We had on her records not to shout out her name when she collected her prescription. She was constantly on edge.

I know someone who is trying to with the help of Police but the other person has too many hooks just at the moment so they are waiting till DD is 16 to do whole name change address change use PO and reset all IT. It is extremely difficult when she is reliant on benefits though. She now only has contact with limited trusted people (mostly for MH support for her and her daughter) but it will all narrow down again when she does it finally - but if we are out of lockdown that will help her access other services she needs so its a waiting game at the moment. Not quite the same as full witness protection as yet (although if things carry on it might be forced for their safety)

Why is it difficult because she's on benefits? All the govt agencies work with the police on these matters and have policies and procedures in place to protect those people living under witness protection.