To ask if this is normal - police related

[YourFinestPantaloons]

3 years ago I was the victim of a violent crime (not a sexually violent crime). I was fine but I reported it to the police and they have investigated it since - things were massively delayed due to COVID.

They came to see me today to say they're at a point where they could ask the CPS to consider a charge but they usually check in with victims first to see if it's something they want to pursue. I've not had any bother for the perpetrator for a years at all, it I wanted to ask - is it normal for them to do this? It felt very awkward like there was something else going on that I didn't know about.

It might be delays due to COVID, or it could be that the perpetrator has done something similar to someone else.

It might be that they can proceed without your support but the case would be very weak without you as a witness, lots of cases have been so delayed because of Covid things are getting to court and witnesses aren't attending, have moved on, don't want to be part of it anymore. Cases then collapse but after a great deal of time and taxpayer expense. It's understandable to check in with you that you still feel comfortable being a prosecution witness.

They are checking you're still on board and happy to proceed. That's a good thing.

It's a good sign, they want to make sure they have your participation before going forward

It sounds pretty normal, yes. Especially with such a long delay they want to check you are still on board, will willingly come to court etc. This will make a difference as to how they present the case to CPS so it makes sense to confirm it at this point. It doesn't indicate anything else is going on at all.

Police officer here. Completely normal, especially if there has been a delay. They want to make sure you are still happy to go to court, sometimes people move on and no longer want to, and CPS will ask when reviewing the file whether the victim is still on board.

Thanks all, I just got the impression they were hinting at me not to as in they were worried for my safety if I did go ahead with it. As the perpetrator has quite a violent history. Probably me just being paranoid

Normal. They would advise you direct if worried about witness protection.
They want to prosecute but need to check that witnesses are happy to continue to be witnesses.

Sounds a bit like they're asking if you still wish to go ahead. I guess you never know when someone might change they're mind and I would imagine they are massively overwhelmed with a back log of cases.

At the end of the day if you want results then it's probably worth continuing with the process.

@YourFinestPantaloons

Thanks all, I just got the impression they were hinting at me not to as in they were worried for my safety if I did go ahead with it. As the perpetrator has quite a violent history. Probably me just being paranoid

What made you think that? I don't think the police would hint at something if they thought you were in danger.

If the person is taken to court, they have a choice to plead guilty or deny the charge.

If they deny the charge they are innocent until proved guilty.

How is the prosecution to prove guilt? By the victim first identifying the accused as the attacker; then telling the court what happened and what harm they suffered.

  If the victim refuses to  give any evidence in court   (for whatever reason)  then  the case is likely to collapse and the attacker gets off.

The amount of times offenders have been taken to court, then the case gets thrown out because the victim hasn't turned up/no longer interested is massive!