The Victim Right to Review specifically relates to decisions not to prosecute and does not cover crime recording decisions or decisions not to continue with enquiries.

The right of a victim to request a review arises where the police:

  • Make a decision not to bring proceedings in cases where the police have authority to charge; or
  • Make a decision that the case does not meet the appropriate Test for referral to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for a charging decision.

The Victim Right to Review specifically relates to decisions not to prosecute and does not cover crime recording decisions or decisions not to continue with enquiries.

A victim of crime is defined in the Victims’ Code as ‘a person who has suffered harm, including physical, mental or emotional harm or economic loss which was directly caused by criminal conduct’.

This includes:

  • Close relatives of a person whose death was directly caused by criminal conduct;
  • Parents or guardians where the main victim is a child or youth under 18;
  • Police officers who are victims of crime;
  • Family spokespersons of victims with a disability or who are so badly injured that they cannot communicate; and
  • Businesses, providing they give a named point of contact.

How to apply for a review

Victims of crime wishing to request a review can do so online or via post.

Fill the online form here 

You can also write to:

Head of Criminal Justice Reform and Support
Corporate Criminal Justice
Merseyside Police Headquarters Rose Hill
15 Cazneau
Liverpool
L3 3AN

If you remain dissatisfied with the outcome of the police review and wish to pursue the matter further, you can apply to the High Court for a judicial review. For more details, please visit the Crown Prosecution Service website.