How victims of crime can apply for compensation

If you’ve been the victim of a crime that's left you injured, or with lost or damaged property, you can apply for compensation. Depending on the crime, there are two different ways you can seek compensation. Please be aware that not all applications are successful.

Criminal injuries compensation scheme

If you’ve been physically or mentally injured by a violent crime you can apply for compensation under the UK government's criminal injuries compensation scheme. This type of compensation can be awarded whether the offender has been caught or not.

Find out more and apply online.

Court-awarded compensation

If an offender is convicted of a crime against you, the court may order them to pay you compensation. This could be for a range of reasons, such as:

• personal injury
• pain and suffering
• losses from theft or damage to property
• losses from fraud
• losses from time off work
• medical expenses
• travel expenses 

To find out about court awarded compensation, please contact the officer in charge of your case. They'll give you more information and make the application for you.

We’ll present your information to the Crown Prosecution Service, who'll then make the request in court.