To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of victims of crime in England and Wales over the most recent period for which figures are available were (a) people with disabilities and (b) people with mental health problems; (152976)

I have been asked to reply.

The British Crime Survey (BCS) routinely provides information on the risk of personal crimes (violence and personal theft) by whether the victim has a disability or illness. The latest results from the BCS 2006-07 are included in the following table. The BCS does not collect information on whether respondents have mental health problems.

Information on disability and mental health problems in relation to victims is recorded at a number of points during the criminal justice process by criminal justice agencies. For example, when an initial statement is taken from the victim, the MG11 form on which it is recorded requires police officers to record whether the victim is vulnerable or intimidated. The definition of “vulnerable” in the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 includes any victim who

“suffers from mental disorder within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1983”

“otherwise has a significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning”,

“has a physical disability or is suffering from a physical disorder”.

Similarly, in cases that reach the point of charge or beyond, a witness care officer is required to conduct and record a detailed needs assessment that will reassess whether the victim is vulnerable or intimidated.