Victims Champion for Knowsley
10 March 2010
Witnesses and victims of anti-social behaviour
will be given additional support to help secure convictions, thanks
to a new Victim and Witness Champion in post in Knowsley.
The new post has been created as part of the
Justice Seen Justice Done campaign which is a
cross-government programme to address public concerns about crime
and justice, and raise the public's awareness and understanding of
the services they are entitled to from the police and other
agencies – including those for victims.
It is paid for as part of the £2.8m funding
announced by the Home Secretary in October last year to establish
victims and witness champions in 85 priority areas, including
Knowsley.
Knowsley’s new Champion, Stella Martin, along
with the Champions across the country, will deliver practical help
to those taking a stand against anti-social behaviour in their
communities.
Standing up to anti-social behaviour can take
courage. It can be a particularly difficult thing to go to court
and give evidence against someone who you may have to return home
and live next door to. The existence of a dedicated Victim and
Witness Champion is intended to demonstrate that if people are a
victim of or witness to anti-social behaviour, there will be help
and support, making them more likely to report incidents to the
police.
The role includes:
Supporting people - making sure more victims
of anti-social behaviour are helped to come forward and supported
when giving evidence in court;
- Making sure those that are most in need of help get it -
including vulnerable victims;
- Providing a single local contact/referral point for all victims
of anti-social behaviour and witnesses
- Promoting the service - making sure the public in the local
area know about the service and that’s its available across the
area
- Adding to what’s already in place for victims.
Steve Agger, Service Director for Crime and
Disorder, Knowsley Council said: “We are committed to supporting
victims of anti-social behaviour in Knowsley; Stella Martin comes
to us from Victim Support and has a wealth of knowledge and skills
to support our residents. She now forms part of our multi agency
team at the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit and we hope residents will
take full advantage of her service where needed.”
To report incident of anti-social behaviour
please call Knowsley’s Anti-Social Behaviour Helpline on 0151 443
2000. All calls are treated confidentially. In an emergency please
call 999.