Victims should not be treated as crime statistics, Staffordshire’s Police Commissioner has warned.
Matthew Ellis made his comments as he launched a review of support services.
The reform programme will be led by Deputy Commissioner Sue Arnold.
“I want criminal justice agencies working better for victims by improving the complicated ‘system’ and making sure it’s effective and more joined up.” said Mr Ellis.
“Crime victims should be treated as people, not crime numbers.”
The Deputy Commissioner echoed the message, insisting people affected by crime should always come first and get the support.
“Victims need a single port-of-call to provide comfort, confidence and guarantee total protection before, during and after any potential litigation process,” she said.
“My research indicates victims are often unsure of which organisation to contact. They should have a single point of contact. There are a minimum of 29 agencies who currently provide victim support services in the county. That’s too fragmented and victims would get better care if we joined-up services and streamlined the way they work.
“More work needs to be done urgently to improve the way victims are updated about the progress or otherwise of investigations so that they feel more informed.”
The review comes ahead of a move in April 2014 which will see funding for victim support services in Staffordshire allocated to the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner instead of directly to services.
