A bill to protect vulnerable witnesses has been approved by Cabinet and is likely to go to the House in the summer, Attorney General Kim Wilson has revealed.

She said the Justice Protection Bill will allow Police to relocate witnesses during an investigation and trial. But she said witnesses could already be sent away if Police deemed it necessary. She told The Royal Gazette: "I am not sure how official it is but the Police have sent people away."

The bill will establish links with the other overseas territories in a type of exchange programme, said Sen. Wilson.

She added: "It is not like you see on TV with people being given a separate identity.

"I suspect there could be cases like that but fortunately but we are not there yet, thank God.

"I know some of the other islands have had those circumstances."

And Sen. Wilson said that a witness care unit had been running since December following concerns that the lack of witnesses was hampering the criminal justice system.

Witnesses are taken through what the court process will involve while those with disabilities are also helped out. Counselling services are also offered.

Sen. Wilson added: "I am not sure the extent of witness intimidation is as great as people's perception.

"People are just nervous about the process, they don't know what it includes, where they go. But there are some concerns from individuals about safety."

She hopes the scheme will increase witness participation and reduce the number of failed prosecutions.

Partially modeled on similar schemes in Canada and England the witness care unit has 61 witness files now open while 21 witnesses have had pretrial court visits in preparation for trials this month. Last year Government promised law reform as part of a wave of measures following an outbreak of violence in the summer.

Sen. Wilson said a panel of criminal lawyers was sitting as a law reform committee along with the Director of Public Prosecutions under Puisne Judge Ian Kawaley.

"They are reviewing the legislation to see what changes need to be made.

"I have asked them to do it sooner rather than later but you have to appreciate that these people are full-time employed and are doing it in their own spare time."