Victims and Witnesses - Photo Story

Photo story from 'Young victims - the cost of crime'

1 Young coloured man walking along the street listening with headphones.
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1 "Sometimes when I am listening to my music I think why did you do it? What went wrong?"

2 Three other young men, one coloured, try to grab him. He turns away.
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2 "I tried to avoid the situation but they surrounded me and took me into some kind of alleyway."

3 Three men in hooded jackets are looking down at him on the ground, with his arms shielding his head.
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3 "One of them punched me in the face, then they kicked me in the leg which caused me to fall down, then they started booting me everywhere."

4 The blurred face of one of them swinging a pole.
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4 "They hit me with a metal pole and then they had had enough."

5 He's lying on the pavement at the foot of a brick wall.
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5 "So I called my dad and he came and picked me up and we go to the police station."

6 Close up of letter with Victim Support branding.
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6 "I received a letter from Victim Support saying they would like to help me with what I am going through."

7 Two men talking.
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7 "I went one Saturday. He was a reasonable guy. He was very supportive, he was the one that helped me get back on my feet."

8 He's sitting outside, eye shut, thinking.
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8 "I wanted to get him back to do him some damage but my mum was like if you do it then the police are going to think that you are just as bad as him."

9 He's outside in football strip, holding a football, breathing hard.
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9 "I thank God for my life right now - I want to be a professional footballer so I am just concentrating on my football."

10 He's walking along a street, looking alert and confident.
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10 "Victim Support - you should go because they know how to talk and help with what I'm going through."

Did you know?

The most common things to be stolen from young people are money and mobile phones.
(The victimisation of young people: findings from the Crime and Justice Survey 2003, Home Office.)

Tell us what you think

We want to know what most worries you about crime in your area and your ideas for making your neighbourhood a better place to live.

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