Cambridgeshire Constabulary funding for victims’ service to be protected

CAMBRIDGESHIRE’S Police and Crime Commissioner, Sir Graham Bright, has welcomed news that the 2016/17 funding for victims’ services will be protected.

Cambridgeshire will receive just over £913,000 for victims’ services as well as an extra £68,000 for child sexual abuse services.

The funding was confirmed in a letter sent to the Police and Crime Commissioner from MP Mike Penning, the Minister for Policing, Fire, Criminal Justice and Victims.

Police and Crime Commissioners became responsible for commissioning the majority of support services for victims of crime locally in 2014. Cambridgeshire was one of a handful of areas who bid to the Ministry of Justice to take on the full remit of support services early – in October 2014.

In a pioneering move Cambridgeshire opted out of national Victim Support services and created a police-led Victims’ Hub staffed by local people with knowledge of the local services available.  This became core to a fully integrated model of support services for victims of crime in Cambridgeshire.

With over 4,000 victims receiving emotional and practical support to help them cope and recover from their experience of crime, and over 27,000 letters and e-mails sent out to the victims of crime in the first year, the Hub continues to deliver effective support.

Sir Graham said:

“I am delighted that the Ministry of Justice recognises the importance of local evidence based commissioning for victims’ support services. It is reassuring to see additional support for child sexual abuse services highlighting the increasing demand for support in this area.

“The feedback we’ve received so far about the success of the Victims’ Hub has been hugely complimentary. Our experiences and learning are now helping to influence and shape victim services in other parts of the country as we share the knowledge we’ve gained with other Police and Crime Commissioners.”

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