Funding boost to benefit victims of crime in West Mercia
News from our partners Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner West Mercia
Victims of crime across West Mercia will get more support thanks to extra funding from the Government.
Bill Longmore, Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia, received £395,000 as part of the Ministry of Justice’s Competed Fund.
The £12.5 million fund, which Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) were invited to bid into, was created to enhance the support in each area for the most vulnerable victims of crime.
The Ministry of Justice awarded West Mercia £210,000 to support victims of sexual assault and £185,000 to support victims of domestic violence.
The funds will be used to boost the provision of independent advocacy designed to help victims access services and support to help them cope and recover from the trauma they have experienced. In addition, advocates will support victims through the criminal justice system processes.
Bill Longmore, Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia, said:
“This is excellent news for the people of West Mercia. It is essential that victims are at the very heart of the criminal justice system, and this was one of our key priorities in the Police and Crime Plan.
“We have been able to provide considerable financial support for victim services since November 2012 and this extra money is very welcome. It enables us to sustain key victim services and provide further opportunities to enhance those services helping victims move on with their lives.”
The £12.5 million comes from additional receipts from offenders, raised through the Victim Surcharge and increased financial penalties such as Penalty Notices for Disorder. It is in addition to the 2014/15 budgets of £31.55 million which have already been confirmed to PCCs. The Ministry of Justice launched a competition to allow PCCs to bid for money to support victims of the most serious crimes, persistently targeted victims and intimidated or vulnerable victims.
This funding is in addition to a range of measures brought in by the Government to provide unprecedented support for victims, including the new and improved Victims’ Code and pre-trial cross-examination for young and vulnerable witnesses.
