Project to support victims of crime in South Yorkshire to be extended for another two years

Work to support crime victims across South Yorkshire is to be extended, following three years of success.
By Paul Whitehouse, Local Democracy Reporter
Published 3rd Feb 2020, 16:00 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The project has been funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings.

He has decided, alongside his counterpart Keith Hunter in Humberside, to extend a contract with Victim Support to provide services for another two years.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The move is an endorsement of the work already done and will give the organisation the chance to develop its skills further.

From left, Marie Carroll, Assistant Crime Commissioner Tim Forber, Crime Commissioner Keith Hunter, Nicola Swan, Johanna Parks, Lynne Casserly, and Ben Payne at the launch in 2017From left, Marie Carroll, Assistant Crime Commissioner Tim Forber, Crime Commissioner Keith Hunter, Nicola Swan, Johanna Parks, Lynne Casserly, and Ben Payne at the launch in 2017
From left, Marie Carroll, Assistant Crime Commissioner Tim Forber, Crime Commissioner Keith Hunter, Nicola Swan, Johanna Parks, Lynne Casserly, and Ben Payne at the launch in 2017

It uses a team of professionals to organise the service, with volunteers taking on the task of helping crime victims.

Dr Billings said that enabled the service to identify: “Those who are being specifically intimidated and targeted, victims of repeat crimes as well as those experiencing the most serious crimes."

The scheme operates independently and they already work to the Victims Code of Practice, to help identify the most vulnerable.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But staff are also working to complete an Open College Network accredited course, which will see them become Victim Care Advocates.

They are the first in the country to develop their skills in that way.

Dr Billings said the extension to a five year contract for Victim Support was intended to give stability to the organisation, in an arena where similar organisations frequently worked to short term contracts.

Speaking when the service was launched, Dr Billings said: “It is important that each victim has access to a single point of contact, which will offer services to meet their specific needs.”