Voice of victims
After elections in November, police and crime commissioners (PCCs) will be making sure the voice of victims is heard in local policing.
Thursday, 06 Sep 2012
Police and crime commissioners will have a duty to consult victims of crime.
Being a victim or a witness of a crime is a distressing time. It is during these times that you need the service and support of the police, criminal justice system and have access to victim support services.
After elections in November, police and crime commissioners (PCCs) will be central to ensuring the voice of victims is heard in local policing.
Consult victims of crime
PCCs will have a duty to consult victims of crime when developing and setting their crime and police plans, and, in the future, they will also have the power and budget to determine local victims’ services.
Details of how PCCs will need to consider victims of crime during their planning and as they commission support and services are available on this website.
They will commission support services which help individuals cope with, and recover from, the consequences of crime, ensuring that services meet local need, represent value for money and deliver real outcomes for victims.
Vote in elections
Actress and anti knife crime campaigner Brooke Kinsella, has joined forces with Victim Support and has been urging the public to take part in the upcoming elections.
Ms Kinsella said: ‘My family and I know how important it is to get emotional and practical support after a crime. I don’t think anyone traumatised by crime should be left to fend for themselves.
‘People should use their vote on November 15 to elect PCC candidates who will put the needs of victims and witnesses first.’
The public will get the chance to vote the candidate they feel represents what they care about and what they think the police should focus on in elections on the 15 November.