New Victim Service for Lancashire
LANCASHIRE'S Police and Crime
Commissioner has taken over responsibility for providing services to support
victims of crime and established a victims' hub based in the centre of Preston.
The move follows changes introduced by Government that mean Police and Crime
Commissioners become responsible for providing services locally; giving much
more say to local people on the kind of support they need. As a result the
Commissioner has contracted charity Victim Support to provide services to
Lancashire residents and asked the charity to provide the service locally. In
addition the Commissioner has promised Victim Support's services will be
available to everyone, regardless of the type of crime or anti social behaviour
they have been a victim of regardless of whether or not they have reported the
crime to the Police. Mr Grunshaw said:- "My commitment to people who
have been a victim of crime however small, is simple; their needs are the most
important thing, and they need to have a voice. Victim Services will be there
when people need them and it is for the individuals themselves to decide what
help and support works for them, and to feel they have access to the information
they need; whether that's about their case, going to court or about the help
that's available to them. I am confident Victim Support will offer an excellent
service on my behalf, and crucially I have asked them to move their staff to
Preston; rather than their current Manchester location; to ensure they are
solely focussed on Lancashire's residents and their needs. This funding coming
directly to Lancashire is a brilliant opportunity to improve what is offered to
our victims, and I am committed to making sure that happens."
Victim Support will make contact with victims referred to them through the
Police, and victims will also be able to call the service directly if they need
support at a later date, or to cope and recover from the impact of a crime or
anti social behaviour incident even if they did not report it to the Police. The
organisation will offer support to individuals directly, or in the cases of
certain victims; will refer them to other locally commissioned specialist
services. These services will be announced by the Commissioner in the coming
weeks, but will include specialist provision for young victims, victims of hate
crime and victims of rape, sexual assault and Child Sexual Exploitation. The
Commissioner added:- "My research with victims showed there are certain
victims who may need very specialist support to help them cope and recover, so
my role now is to ensure those services exist, and are easily accessible. Victim
Support will act as the main hub, and they will be able to refer any victims
they identify as needing a different kind of support to the relevant agency. A
common complaint victims have is that there are too many people involved in
their journey to recovery; I hope by having a seamless, Lancashire based
process, victims will get the help they need at the first opportunity."
More information on the services available in Lancashire can be found on the Commissioner's website. The helpline for victims to contact Victim Support is:- 0300 323 0085.
