LANCASHIRE Police has been given £100,000 from Whitehall towards the £200,000 cost of building new video suites so vulnerable witnesses can pre-record evidence for court hearings.
They are one of 28 forces to share a £1.7million cash grant to easing the burden of coming before judges, juries and magistrates for young people under the age of 17 and adults whose quality of evidence is likely to be diminished by a mental disorder, or those with a learning or physical disability.
Courts will also be able to use the facilities for any witness they deem to be vulnerable.
The video-suites also allow the use of TV links where needed for cross examination.
Lancashire Constabulary made a bid for the money from the Home Office. Four other bids failed. The scheme has to be completed by the end of March 2005.
Announcing the grants Police Minister Baroness Scotland said: "Witnessing a crime and then having to go to court to give evidence can be a very distressing experience."
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