Vital support for victims and witnesses of crime praised by Commissioner

Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston is today thanking staff and volunteers across the county responsible for supporting people when they have become a victim or witness of crime. 

Funding totalling £4.4million will be provided by the Commissioner over the next two years (2026-2028) to ensure people living in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough can access help whether they have reported to police or not.  

The county has an established integrated model of free support services which centre around the Constabulary-run Victim and Witness Hub. The Hub offers phone-based emotional and practical support to victims and witnesses to help them cope, and where possible recover from the impact of crime.  

Singled out by the College of Policing as an example of good practice, more than 3,300 victims and witnesses have been supported since April 2025, with 1,300 people reporting improved health and wellbeing and 1,500 saying they felt safer as a result of the support provided.  

Specialist support is also available from skilled and experienced staff in organisations such as the Cambridge and Peterborough Rape Crisis Partnership, Peterborough Women’s Aid, CPSL Mind, the Bobby Scheme and local charitable and community-based services.  

Organisations such as the Meadows Children and Family Wing, Cambridgeshire Deaf Association, One Voice for Travellers and Choices Counselling Service contribute to the local provision. This also includes domestic abuse services funded or delivered through the local authorities.   

“There are so many amazing people in our county who care passionately about the way in which they support victims. I have heard first hand of the impact they have had on those they support – with it being described as ‘life saving’,” said the Commissioner.  

“As a former police officer myself I specialised in dealing with the aftermath of abhorrent crimes such as child sexual abuse and domestic abuse. Crime impacts everyone differently which is why it is so important that local services are there when they are needed. 

“Victims and witnesses can self-refer into the majority of services – contact details are available on the Cambs Victims Services website,” added the Commissioner.  

The PCC’s victim and witness support plan for major crime incidents was put into practice following the horrific incident on a London-bound train which was stopped in Huntingdon on Saturday, November 1st.  

While British Transport Police (BTP) took primacy during the incident, the PCC’s staff supported BTP colleagues to ensure all victims and witnesses were aware of the localised support available. The Hub’s Specialist Victim and Witness Care Co-ordinator for Serious Violence is already supporting a number of people, and this work will continue.  

For more details visit: Victim Services | Victim and Witness Hub.