Deputy PCC pledges ₤3m of support for vulnerable victims through Victim Care Merseyside service

MERSEYSIDE'S Deputy Police Commissioner have announced her plans to deliver nearly ₤3m of support for victims of crime through the Victim Care Merseyside service over the next 3 years.

Cllr Emily Spurrell has confirmed 8 key services have been commissioned to support vulnerable victims, witnesses and families affected by crime, and the organisations which will be delivering those services, from April 2018 until April 2021.

Victim Care Merseyside was officially launched by the Police Commissioner, Jane Kennedy, in 2015 after powers and funding was given to Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to commission victim support services. in 2017, the Commissioner announced her intention to conduct a comprehensive research programme, reviewing the existing service and assessing how the needs of victims across the Region may have changed and developed since the service was 1st established.

In light of that review, the Commissioner announced her plans to further improve and expand upon the existing package of care by enhancing the existing services and commissioning a number of new services to plug any gaps created by new and emerging crime types.

Following a competitive tendering process, the Deputy Commissioner has today confirmed the third sector and voluntary organisations which will be delivering all 8 Victim Care Merseyside services, which include supporting child victims of sexual and criminal exploitation, victims of rape and sexual assault, domestic abuse and hate crime.

Emily said:- "I'm delighted to confirm that, over the next 3 years, we are committing ₤3m through the Victim Care Merseyside service to provide support and care for some of the most vulnerable victims of crime in Merseyside. Nobody chooses to be a victim of crime, and when someone does suffer at the hands of others it is only right that they get the support to help them cope and recover. The aim of Victim Care Merseyside is to ensure victims get that support and that's why the Commissioner and I are determined to constantly review and evaluate the services that are on offer. I'm so pleased to be in a position today to confirm the services that we have commissioned to support victims over the next 3 years and announce the fantastic local organisations which will be delivering that care."

The services which will be provided through Victim Care Merseyside are:-

► Vulnerable Victims' Champion service for vulnerable victims of crime and anti social behaviour (₤185,648 per year) - Victim Support.

► Domestic abuse support service, including support for young people and families; ₤270,000 per year distributed to the Region's 5 Local Authorities to enhance their existing services.

► Specialist support service for victims of Child Sexual Exploitation and Child Criminal Exploitation (₤182,000 per year) - Catch 22.

►  Dedicated aftercare support service for survivors of rape and sexual assault (₤172,500 per year) jointly awarded to RASA and RASASC.

►  Hate crime support service; jointly awarded to Anthony Walker Foundation (₤40,000 per year), the Citizens' Advice Bureau (₤20,000 per year), and Daisy Inclusive UK (₤10,000).

►  3rd part hate crime reporting service (₤25,000 per year) Stop Hate UK.

►  Delivery of a Homicide Victims' Advice Centre to provide support for victims of homicide, including homicide-related road traffic collisions (₤23,456 per year) Families Fighting for Justice.

►  New service to support victims of harmful practices (₤22,000 per year) Savera UK.

►  Child Exploitation / missing from home coordinator based within Merseyside (₤40,000 per year).

Emily added:- "We were 1 of the 1st areas in the country to offer support for victims of child criminal exploitation. Today's announcement builds on that forward thinking approach by delivering new services offering enhanced care for those who have been subjected to harmful practices, including Forced marriage, so called 'honour based' violence and female genital mutilation; families who have had family members murdered or killed; and people who have been targeted by different types of hate. There will also be more money provided to enhance and expand our existing services, including our provision for victims of domestic abuse, rape and sexual assault and nearly double the amount of funding available for those affected by hate crime than in previous years. Following feedback from our partners, we have also taken the decision to make all of the contracts for these services 3 years long to give more long term security for the organisations who are commissioned and stability for victims. The nature of crime is constantly evolving and that means we have to adapt and update our services to ensure they are meeting the needs of victims today. Victims are at the heart of everything we do and through these new, and enhanced services offered through Victim Care Merseyside we are building on the great care which is already on offer to give the most vulnerable victims the extra help they need to become survivors."

All of the decisions taken to enhance the Victim Care Merseyside service were based on detailed evidence, compiled as part of a Victim Needs Assessment (VNA). The VNA was carried out between May and October 2018 and incorporated extensive reviews of the crime data, a 'what works' literature review, a victim service mapping exercise and feedback sessions with service providers.

Crucially it also involved extensive consultation with victims of crime, including an online survey, focus groups and 1 to 1 interviews. A special workshop was also held with nearly 40 support organisations with the aim of identifying 'hidden' crimes that may still be going on undetected and out of sight.

All of the services were then put out to tender with organisations invited to apply. Assessment panels were held during February 2018, at which all the bids were scored based upon quality, cost and the provision of references.

If you have been affected by crime and need information, help or support, please visit Victim Care Merseyside.

Developing a Liverpool City of Music Strategy

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LIVERPOOL City Council has brought together key music industry figures to shape a music strategy which makes the most of its UNESCO City of Music status. External sector experts have used ground breaking analysis to get an understanding of the scale and significance of the music sector, which includes:- live music events, production services, recording studios and music publishing; which generates more than ₤100m turnover annually.

BOP Consulting; a creative industry leader; has researched Liverpool's music scene, and found that:-

► There are approximately 341 music venues across the City Region.

► The Region's music sector supports 2,360 jobs.

► There is a live music audience of 937,000 per annum; made up of 520,000 local visitors and the remainder from the rest of the UK and overseas.

► Live music is a significant part of the City Region's music economy; live music accounts for 44% of music sector turnover in Liverpool, as opposed to an average of 23% for the UK.

They went on to make a number of recommendations which will be discussed at a special meeting hosted by Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson and Mayor of Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram, which is to take place in March 2018.

These recommendations include:-

► The creation of a Liverpool City of Music Board to develop an overview of the music industry and develop a strategy for investment and development.

The establishment a Liverpool Music Office which creates a single point of entry for the music sector, based on the successful Liverpool Film Office.

To engage with Apple Corps in a partnership relating to the heritage of The Beatles, including securing an agreement to use Beatles related materials to optimise and build on the existing visitor offer in the City.

When analysing Liverpool, BOP found the City has a vibrant live music scene with extensive heritage, the low cost of business premises makes the City an attractive option and there is a strong music related offer at City Universities.

In terms of weaknesses, the research found the Region is not seen as an industry hub, home-grown talent leaves for London and overall the music scene is fragmented with no leading sector voice, a lack of diversity in programming and there are significant commercial pressures on venues.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said:- "Liverpool's rich music history is undeniable and draws millions of visitors to the City annually; whether it's people experiencing our Fab 4 attractions, taking in the enviable talent of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra or enjoying the gigs or music festivals which dominate our cultural calendar.  When it comes to other UK cities, we stand out, and our UNESCO City of Music title is an acknowledgement of that. However we want to make the most of this sector and get an accurate picture of today's music scene and understand what we can put in place to ensure it reaches its potential.  This is the 1st time a report of this scale and detail has been undertaken, and working in partnership with creative experts is a significant step to achieving a City Region wide strategy which will invest and enhance all aspects of our music sector.  Working with Steve will ensure this infiltrates across Merseyside and together we can build on the incredible legacy already in place to ensure Liverpool, and the wider Region, remains a key player in the music industry; nationally and internationally."

City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said:- "We are generally very good at celebrating our musical heritage, but this is about recognising and exploiting the full potential of an important and flourishing economic sector. The City Region continues to develop outstanding and innovative musical talent, but we have to develop the infrastructure that enables us to support our musicians, develop the sector and exploit its appeal to global visitors. It's another area where we can grow our economy and build our international reputation by focusing on something where we have a unique and exceptional offer."

UK Music chief executive Michael Dugher said:- "UK Music welcomes this report and the positive determination of Mayor Joe Anderson and Liverpool City Council to support the local music scene which brings so much enjoyment to so many people from the City and indeed from across the world, and 1 which makes a significant contribution to the Liverpool economy. Liverpool truly is a world music City and the findings of this report will help inform an important ongoing discussion about how the music industry in Liverpool and the wider City Region can best be protected, supported and strengthened in the future."

BOP consulted widely within Liverpool and engaged national music organisations, including UK Music, Music Venue Trust and the PRS Foundation. They were supported by an industry advisory group with representation from all parts of the music sector. These included:- Ad-Lib, Sound City, Constellations, Sentric Music, Parr Street Studios, Bido Lito!, British Music Experience, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, University of Liverpool and Nothin' But The Music.

The 'next steps' meeting to look at the recommendations will coincide with the launch of UK Music's:- "Wish You Were Here" report on the contribution of music tourism to the economy of Liverpool City Region which will take place in the near future.

Please email via:- News24@SouthportReporter.com and also let us know your thoughts and views on this topic.