As fast-track scheme to rehouse vulnerable and intimidated witnesses of crime will be launched in the autumn.
It will help local authorities, housing associations, police forces, social services and schools to move witnesses within 24 hours.

The Witness Support Scheme, a national pilot that grew out of the Waltham Forest Safety Net Witness Support Scheme, will be launched on 25 November.

Online forum RaceAction Net is to launch a toolkit to help agencies set up the scheme.

The Housing Corporation has given £25,500 to help the scheme go national. It has also attracted interest from the Home Office.

Barnsley, Walsall, Dover and Hillingdon councils have signed up to the scheme. Devon & Cornwall Housing Association and arm’s-length management organisation City West Homes have hinted they may join.