Fewer than 5 per cent of victims of violent crime bother to claim compensation – in some cases of up to half a million pounds, MPs say today.

In a damning indictment of ministers’ aim to prioritise victims of crime, the MPs also found that two thirds of victims were unaware that they were eligible under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).

A report by the Commons Public Accounts Committee says that even where people do apply, they are hampered by a complex application form and suffer delays in receiving their money because of bureaucracy.

Edward Leigh, MP, chairman of the committee, said: “The Ministry of Justice’s declared objective is to place victims at the heart of the criminal justice system. If the scheme for compensating victims of violent crime is anything to go by, that objective is a long way from fulfilment.”

Since the MPs’ committee delivered a “withering verdict” eight years ago, the performance of the authority had deteriorated even further, he said.

The MPs’ report, Compensating Victims of Violent Crime, criticises the Ministry of Justice for affording the agency a low priority despite its claims to put victims at the heart of the criminal justice system.

Ministers failed to set the body rigorous targets, they said, as costs and bureaucracy increased and standards slipped. Even though the numbers of applications had fallen by 23 per cent, the time taken to resolve the average complaint had risen from one year to 17 months. The cost of administering the scheme rose by £6 million between 2000 and 2006, while staff productivity fell.

Mr Leigh added that it was absurd that so few people were applying for money that they were due.

“A large proportion of citizens who are injured by violent criminals are left in ignorance of the compensation scheme, leading to the absurd situation that only 5 per cent apply for compensation,” he said.

The scheme makes awards to victims of violent crime that range from £1,000 to £250,000 and also payments to cover loss of earnings and other expenses, which can increase a total award to a maximum £500,000.

A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: “Since 2006, CICA have improved the access and quality of services for victims of violent crime, and a more efficient case handling process is resulting in faster decisions.”

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