What are the Information Evenings about?

Trident is the Metropolitan Police's specialised unit that deals with shootings in London. Trident has been working with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure witnesses feel confident about coming forward to give evidence in court. Now we are running Information Evenings so that local communities can hear for themselves how we will support witnesses.

Tried and tested methods include:

• Anonymity / use of a 'fake name' by witnesses - police can ensure witnesses are anonymous right from the start of the investigation, and the senior investigating officer can give a witness a pseudonym - a fake name to use in court. In some cases only the senior investigating officer will know the true identity of a witness;
• Voice distortion - technical equipment can be used to change your voice so it is impossible to know who is speaking, although what the witness says can still be clearly heard;
• Using screens to protect identity - the witness will be screened from the defendant, and will be taken to and from court and moved within the court by police officers so that no one knows who they are; and
• Giving evidence by live video link.

These provisions are not automatically granted - a decision will be made by the Court on a case by case basis to decide whether they are appropriate for each witness.