Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward a compensation scheme for victims of anti-social behaviour; and if he will make a statement.

The Government is committed to ensuring that all victims of crime, including crime that constitutes anti-social behaviour, receive the help and support they need.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (the Scheme) is a government-funded scheme that exists to compensate blameless victims of violent crime who have sustained physical or mental injuries. The rules of the Scheme and the tariff of awards to be paid are approved by Parliament, and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) administers these rules independently of Government.

Victims of anti-social behaviour who suffer physical or mental injury as a result of a crime of violence as set out in Annex B of the Scheme may be entitled to claim compensation from the CICA.