Keeping victims of crime informed is an essential role of the criminal justice system, Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson, said today.

Mr Hanson was speaking at the launch of the ‘Probation Board for Northern Ireland Victim Information Scheme’ which will provide key information to victims about offenders who are subject to supervision by the Probation Board for Northern Ireland.

Speaking at the scheme’s official launch at the Waterfront Hall, the Minister said, “Today’s launch is an important day for victims of crime. The Scheme will be an important source of information for them about offenders subject to Probation supervision and underlines the importance that the criminal justice system places on ensuring the needs of victims of crime are met.

“The awareness that an offender is serving all or part of their sentence in the community can make victims feel particularly vulnerable and it is therefore important that they have the opportunity to fully understand the sentence that the Court has given to the offender and how the Probation Board will supervise that sentence.”

The new scheme has been developed with the support of the PSNI, Public Prosecution Service, Prison Service, Court Service and Victim Support.

(MB/SP)