POLICE and crime commissioner David Keane has launched a survey to assess victims’ services across the county, to ensure victims of crime have access to most appropriate support to help them recover from their ordeal.
The Victim Needs Assessment will review existing services available to victims, highlight good practice and also identify gaps and areas where improvement could be made.
Victims of crime will be asked for their views on the support they have received via a survey and virtual focus groups.
PCC David Keane is responsible for commissioning local services for victims of crime and receives an annual grant from the Ministry of Justice to ensure victims’ services in the area are properly funded. Over the last year, the Commissioner committed £1.2 million to fund victims’ services.
This included support for Cheshire CARES, the flagship service which offers support to every single victim of crime in Cheshire, and also more bespoke services which support victims of specific crimes.
The findings from the Victim Needs Assessment will inform the commissioning of victims’ services in Cheshire from April 2021 and beyond.
PCC Keane said: “I want to ensure that victims of crime in Cheshire have access to some of the best victims’ services in the country. Views and feedback from victims are very important in helping to shape the services that are provided to them in the future.
“I also recognise that there are victims who do not report crime to the police but they may still need support to cope and recover. It is therefore vital that support is available in the community and is offered to all victims of crime, regardless of whether the crime has been reported.
“I want to assess what services victims have used to help them recover following a criminal offence and whether they felt adequate support was provided when they needed it most. I also want to learn what services victims think should be available in the future.
You can complete the Victims’ Voice survey online. It is anonymous and only takes around 10 minutes to complete. Please click the link below to take part in the survey:-
www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/cheshirevictimsvoicesurvey
