Useful contacts

Being a victim or witness of crime can be stressful and traumatic but you don't have to suffer in silence.

Here are some useful contacts for anyone who's experienced crime, either directly or indirectly. This page offers useful contacts for people seeking more information about the following topics:

 

REPORTING CRIME

It's really important to report crime to police, so that they can investigate the incident further and help you get any support and assistance you may need.

Crimes don't just affect individuals - they often harm the entire community. Choosing not to report the crime could mean that your information can't be used to prevent other crimes happening in your neighbourhood.

Police

Call 0845 456 456 4 to speak to police at any time.

If it's an emergency call 999. For more information on what's considered an emergency click here.

Crimestoppers

You an also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Callers to Crimestoppers don't have to give their names or any personal information and calls can't be traced.

SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS AND WITNESSES

If you've been a victim or witness of crime, there are plenty of people trained to assist you.

They can help point you to the right place to get appropriate help, give you confidential advice or offer a friendly ear if you just want to talk.

Victim Support

If you or someone close to you have been victims of crime, Victim Support can provide free, independent, confidental advice, help and information, regardless of whether or not you've reported the crime to police.

Cambridgeshire will be one of the first areas in England and Wales to provide Victim Support Plus later this year. Under the scheme volunteers will telephone each person referred to Victim Support. They will assess their needs and where appropriate, commission services for them.

Call Victim Support Plus on 0845 3899523.

Witness Service

If police catch the person accused of the crime and the case goes to court, you can also get help from the Witness Service, an independent service run in every criminal court by Victim Support.

The Witness Service can be contacted on the following numbers:

  • Cambridge Crown Court: 01223 488378
  • Cambridge and Ely Magistrates' Courts: 01223 845596
  • Huntingdon Combined Court: 01480 450449
  • Peterborough Crown Court: 01733 559050
  • Peterborough Magistrates' Court: 01733 565638
  • Wisbech Magistrates' Court: 01945 475120

Samaritans

Samaritans provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide.

Call Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or get help via email.

YOUNG VICTIMS AND WITNESSES

There are special services for young people dealing with the aftermath of crime.

ChildLine

ChildLine's a free helpline for children and young people of all ages, offering advice and counselling on the phone about any problem.

Call ChildLine on 0800 1111.

Bullying UK

Bullying UK, previously called Bullying Online, is the nation's leading anti-bullying charity, providing online help and advice for victims of bullying, their parents and schools.

See the website or contact Bullying UK by email.

NSPCC

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) is the UK's leading charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children.

Call the NSPCC's Child Protection Hotline on 0808 800 5000.

Centre 33

Centre 33 is a Cambridge-based organisation offering free and confidential counselling for young people under 26 who live in Cambridgeshire and aren't university students.

To find out more or to make an appointment call 01223 316488, send an email or just drop in at 33 Clarendon Street, Cambridge.

Time Stop Counselling

Time Stop Counselling offers counselling for 16 to 25-year-olds who've suffered abuse in childhood. The Peterborough charity, based at 101 Wellington Street, Eastgate, offers drop in support and information.

Contact 1733 891 891.

Are you ok? 

Are you ok? is Victim Support's new website for young victims and witnesses of crime. It's particularly designed to help young people aged between 11 and 16.

The site also provides resources for teachers and youth workers.

ABUSE VICTIMS

Rape Crisis

Rape Crisis England and Wales is a charity that gives advice to survivors of sexual violence, as well as their family and friends, so that they can access the services they need.

Local Rape Crisis groups also offer help and advice. They can be contacted on the following numbers:

  • Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre: 01223 245888
  • Peterborough Rape Crisis and Counselling Group: 01733 311311

Cambridge Women's Aid

This local charity offers accommodation for women and children fleeing physical and emotional violence.

Cambridge Women's Aid also provides legal and practical support and can help with housing matters.

Contact 01223 460947.

St Neots Abuse Project (SNAP)

Providing 24-hour phone help for Cambridgeshire residents experiencing domestic violence.

The charity also provides an advocacy service for young people experiencing bullying, drug and alcohol dependency and domestic violence.

Contact 01480 396500.

Rights of Women

Rights of Women is a national organisation committed to informing, educating and empowering women about their legal rights free of charge. Areas of expertise include domestic violence, sexual violence, family law and discrimination.

Call 020 7251 6577 for general legal advice or 020 7251 8887 for advice about sexual violence.

VULNERABLE VICTIMS AND WITNESSES

Voice UK

Voice UK is a national charity supporting people with learning disabilities and other vulnerable people who've experienced crime or abuse, as well as their families and carers.

Call the phone helpline on 0845 122 8695 between 10am and 4pm from Monday to Friday.

GENERAL ADVICE

Citizens Advice Bureau

The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice, and by influencing policymakers.

There are CAB offices throughout Cambridgeshire that provide drop-in and telephone advice. They are all open different hours and some require that you make appointments first.

Cambridgeshire CAB offices can be located at:

  • Cambridge CAB Main Bureau, 72/74 Newmarket Road, Cambridge
  • Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge (for patients and staff only)
  • Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge Road, Fulbourn
  • Doctor's Surgery, 1a Pepys Way, Girton
  • John Huntingdon House, Tannery Road, Sawston
  • Community Centre, High Street, Bassingbourn
  • 20 High Street, Chatteris
  • Central Hall, Gaultree Square, Emneth
  • 12 Church Mews, Wisbech
  • March Library, City Road, March
  • Whittlesey Library, 31-35 Market Street, Whittlesey
  • 70 Market Street, Ely
  • The Barns Community Room, Ely
  • Prior's Field Doctors' Surgery, Sutton, Ely
  • Huntingdon Citizens Advice Bureau, 6 All Saints Passage, Huntingdon
  • St Neots Citizens Advice Bureau, 28 New Street, St Neots
  • Care & Repair, 11b Churchgate Street, Soham
  • Energy for Paston, Honeyhill Centre, Paston
  • Peterborough Citizens Advice Bureau, 41A Park Road, Peterborough
  • Greater Dogsthorpe Partnership, 76 Central Avenue, Peterborough
  • Orton Community Contact Centre, Orton Centre, Bushfield, Peterborough
  • NHS Walk In Centre, Rivergate Primary Care Centre, Viersen Platz Rivergate, Peterborough
  • Sure Start Family Centre, Acorn Centre, Welland, Peterborough
  • WRAG Drop in Centre, 31-35 Hampton Court, Westwood, Peterborough

For more information on how to contact your nearest Bureau, click here.

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