Scottish Witness Protection Unit
The Scottish Witness Protection Unit (SWPU) migrated to the Agency from Strathclyde Police on 1 April 2003.
The remit of the SWPU is to provide appropriate levels of support and assistance to witnesses, and those individuals outlined in schedule 5 of chapter 4 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, who become involved in the criminal justice system and, as a result, are subjected to some form of intimidation.
The SWPU provide a service to all Scottish Forces and law enforcement agencies in cases where witnesses are considered under significant to serious threat.
In such instances a referral is made to the SWPU who will conduct an assessment on a case-by-case basis and subject to consideration will provide an appropriate response to the circumstances, which may involve the provision of technical support, relocation and/or identity change.
The security and safety of witnesses involved in the judicial process is the cornerstone of the service provided by the SWPU who will ensure that the resolve of witnesses to provide their evidence to the Court remains unaffected.
