Witness-evidence redaction is the removal of personal data from a first-hand record under CPR 5.4C and the DPA 2018. anonym.plus marks each identifier on your device, so the testimony stays useful while the data goes.
When this applies
The author recounts events and names other people and their details. You trim those identifiers before the record joins the court file.
How anonym.plus handles it
- Load the evidence into anonym.plus on your device.
- The tool flags the author and third-party identifiers.
- Local OCR reads a scanned, signed page.
- Keep the narrative facts and timeline intact.
- Swap or black out the confirmed items.
- Save the clean copy locally.
What you need to provide
- The signed record (PDF, DOCX, or scan).
- An operator (Replace keeps the prose readable).
- Optional name map for repeat authors.
PII entity types detected
| Category | anonym.plus entity type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Names | PERSON | the author → [WITNESS] |
| Names | PERSON | bystander named → [THIRD_PARTY] |
| Identifiers | UK_NINO | QQ 20 67 11 C → [NINO] |
| Dates | DATE_TIME | DOB 1986 → [DOB] |
| Contact | PHONE_NUMBER | +44 116 496 0908 → [PHONE] |
| Location | LOCATION | incident street → [ADDRESS] |
Compliance achieved
- Applies CPR 5.4C & DPA 2018 to the first-hand record.
- Flags third parties named in the narrative, not just the author.
- Offline work preserves privilege and work-product.
Anonymise witness evidence offline — see plans & start free →
Limitations & cautions
A first-hand record often holds indirect clues, like a job or a rare event. The tool flags named items but cannot judge when a unique detail re-identifies someone. Read the narrative before you file.
Frequently asked questions
Should I redact people the author names?
Often yes. Third parties named in the text can fall under the access rules too. anonym.plus flags the author and others for your review.
Will the timeline survive the pass?
Yes. The narrative facts and timeline stay. Only personal identifiers are marked.
Is the file uploaded?
No. The desktop app works locally, so the signed copy stays privileged.