Can a witness name be disclosed in a police interview?

[Bearaz]

Can a police officer disclose a witness' details in an interview with a suspect? Any advice would be appreciated Thanks

[Wonderous]

Yes, is the simple answer, although they will not disclose your address details, they may well disclose your name. If the person is then subsequently charged, they will also provide the Defence solicitor with a copy of your statement.

[Bearaz]

I've been trying to retract my statement but the police are making it quite difficult for me to do so. I was under the impression you could retract a statement but may still be summons to court.

[Wonderous]

As I mentioned in your previous question, you cannot retract a statement given to the police. You can ask them not to use the statement and give them the reasons for your request and these will be forwarded to the CPS who will consider whether or not to use your evidence. It will depend on the severity of the crime and the the propspect of obtaining a conviction without your evidence. In your case, if this girl does not want to make a formal complaint and you are the only witness to the offence then the CPS may well decide to withdraw the case and not use your statement.

The only main issue is the fact this girl is only 13 years old and her parents may well wish the case to continue. Their views will be taken into consideration as well. You really need to speak to the OIC about this and get him to tell CPS about your problems with the defendant.

[Bearaz]

The parents of the girl are well not really interested they advised her to go round the back of the houses so they wouldn't be seen!!! Another witness had there garden trashed last night, they saw who was doing it the police came out today and said there's not enough evidence to arrest anyone!! All that bothers me is that i always thought witness intimidation was taken quite seriously but apparently NOT!!!!! All the police want is to get a conviction not actually help the witness'

[randyraven]

The older I get, the more life seems to teach me to not get involved.
It seems the lesson from your case is that you have done the right and decent thing, but would have been better not getting involved.
Sad world we live in.

I just saw someone last week shop who had shop lifted ( is that still the term for it these days) �100's of pounds worth of computer games and DVD's.
They were sat at Reading train station and were removing the security tags and wrappers. They had a silver foil bag inside another bag ? I take it this somehow stops the alarm in the shop ?
Anyway I was tempted to tell the platform staff ...but then on reflection I just got my train.
Having read your post ...glad I did not get involved. I dont want some possible drug addict knowing my name and address.

[Bearaz]

Randyraven - the best thing about it is the police aren't really that bothered if anything happens to your property, but if you withdraw a statement or don't show up to court your the one that gets arrested and thats for telling the truth, but being that worried about what will happen next to your self your children or your home doesn't really matter to them!!!!! We haven't even seen a patrol car in the area for them to catch the people doing the damage, we just get told there's not enough evidence!!!!! They couldn't even send a car out last night to see if anyone was hanging around, they turned up the next day!!!!!!!!!!!

[birdie1971]

Bearaz - I'm shocked (but no surprised) that the police told your neighbour that there was insufficient evidence to arrest the person(s) who caused criminal damage to their garden. The police have a duty to arrest and question under caution anyone accused of a criminal act. Assuming the victim(s) know the name (and hopefully the address) of the perpetrator then the police should arrest those concerned. However, as a former police officer, I know that certain officers sometimes fail to fulfil their duty. If your neighbour wants to take this matter further, I would suggest that they write to the Super of their local station explaining the situation and also send a copy of the letter to their local MP. As many local elections are taking place soon, it is likely the MP would love to get involved and the police really don't like MPs getting involved in local policing issues.

[Bearaz]

Thank you birdie, what shocks me more than anything is the man who caused the damages has already had a warning for threatening another neighbour, there's only 4 houses in our street, so yes we know exactly who is doing it yet the police won't help!!!