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Research has shown that of 284 suspected cases of alleged sexual abuse against people with learning difficulties, only 63 (less than a quarter) were investigated by police. And just two of these went to court. And only one resulted in a conviction.¹ So why do so few cases go to court?

It has happened because either the vulnerable witness has been unable to give their side of the story or, because of their learning difficulty, has been considered "an unreliable witness". The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 and guidance such as Achieving Best Evidence² have recognised that with proper support vulnerable people can make good witnesses. And, of course, with an everyday presence in the community, people with learning difficulties are not necessarily only witnesses to crimes against themselves.

However, there are concerns that resources and, in some areas, commitment are not sufficient to effect changes. Not so in Staffordshire. A partnership between social services and police has resulted in a five-day vulnerable witness training course. "The joint training with police is part of a broader training strategy of the newly-formed Staffordshire adult protection committee," says Clive Cartman-Frost, vulnerable adults development officer, Staffordshire social services.

To make the vulnerable witness training more real for participants a whole day is spent meeting service users and carrying out video interviews. PC Keith Pagett, Staffordshire police crime training team, says: "Part of it for us is removing the mystique surrounding police officers - people you normally come across in times of stress or trouble." And to change the way police perceive people with learning difficulties. "We focus on their abilities not their disabilities," he adds.

Nichola Edge, manager of Lichfield Day Service for People with Learning Difficulties, says:"It's excellent for the users. It shows they can be taken seriously, and listened to."

Pagett says: "It's understanding how we can get the best evidence we can. It's important, for example, not just to do an interview but spend time to get a rapport with the person first."

The big message from the course is the need to plan. To date 47 police officers and 12 social workers (three of whom work for Stoke-on-Trent Council) have completed the course.

After an introductory presentation by Edge, participants then attend a session, and use the time during lunch to get to know the service users they are to interview. Video-taped interviews take place in the afternoon after watching a tape of a theft.

Service user Mark Burbidge is a positive challenge for interviewing because of his limited verbal communication. However, the way he perceives the police now has changed: before, his sign for police was to thrust his hands behind his back as if being handcuffed. Now he uses the proper Makaton sign for police.


A meeting with six of the service users involved confirmed the benefits. Not only do they enjoy the experience but they all now see police as friendly and approachable. But, crucially, would they now talk to police about something that was wrong? "You bet," they say.

And early signs of the course's usefulness are encouraging. A police officer has called to the centre as part of an investigation. "She came without uniform and in an unmarked car," recalls Edge. "She talked to me about what to do, about the user's communication skills. And the user's keyworker went with the officer to do the interview." The social worker who arrived to join them had also been on the training with the police officer. The interview went very well.

Paula Burbidge, Mark's mother, best sums up the success of the scheme: "We're absolutely delighted," she says, "it's a real step forward that police are now seeking the views of people like Mark."

For more information call Clive Cartman-Frost on 01785 278530 or e-mail: clive.cartman-frost@staffordshire.gov.uk

¹ Behind Closed Doors, Report from Voice UK, Mencap & Respond, 2001. From 01332 202555

² Home Office, Achieving Best Evidence in Criminal Proceedings: Guidance for Vulnerable and Intimidated Witnesses, Including Children, Home Office, 2000

Background 

Scheme: A training scheme
Location: Staffordshire
Staffing: From within existing staff
Inspiration: Home Office's Achieving Best Evidence
Cost: The five-day course costs £111 a person and is paid by participants' employers