Putting victims first
Supporting victims of crime is one of the key areas of focus in the Police and Crime Plan for Essex and must be at the heart of everything we do.
If you would like to take part in the consultation phase around commissioning services, please see the details in our supporting victims page here, or in the Commissioning Intentions document linked below.
As Police and Crime Commissioner, my overall ambition is for there to be fewer victims of crime in Essex, and we can help achieve this by reducing crime right across the county. When a crime does take place, victims should have the best possible help and support, both from Essex Police and from local support services.
The way that funding for victims’ services flows from central government to groups and organisations here in Essex is fundamentally changing. From October 2014 to March 2015, £600,000 will come to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to support victims and restorative justice. In 2015-16, £1.8 million will flow through my office, which includes additional money for victims’ referral and assessment. I am delighted that some of this is new funding to support victims.
In preparation for these changes, my team has produced a detailed analysis of victims’ needs across Essex, as well as a review of local crime data and of good practice from across the country. The needs analysis has been undertaken in consultation with key stakeholders including victims themselves and agencies working with victims. It can be read at the link below:
PROFILE OF VICTIMS NEEDS AND SERVICES IN ESSEX FINAL 280714
We are now entering a consultation phase and the consultation document sets out my vision and intentions for commissioning services for victims of crime across Essex, Southend and Thurrock.
Commissioning Intentions 090714
It seeks to build on the good work already in place, as well as to fill gaps and develop new approaches based on good practice, in order to help victims to cope and recover after crime.
I believe this is a great opportunity to enhance the provision of support and help available to victims of many different types of crime across our county. The preparatory work we have undertaken has highlighted some excellent work and some gaps in provision. At the end of the consultation period, and as we begin to allocate the funding to organisations, I hope that victims will be even better supported here in Essex.
Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex
