Cambridgeshire offers £195,000 support for crime victims

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Nov, 18:02 · Archive

Cambridgeshire has allocated £195,000 over two years to increase support for victims of crime affected by early offender releases.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have expanded support available to crime victims following the introduction of the Early Release Scheme, which releases some offenders from prison before completing their full sentence. Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston increased the Victim and Witness Hub's capacity to provide support to those affected, with additional funding of £195,000 allocated over two years.

The Victim and Witness Hub offers emotional and practical support, including referrals to home security services and enhanced emotional support programmes. Victim and Witness Care Co-ordinators can reconnect individuals with specialist services they have previously used. For those worried about personal safety, the Bobby Scheme is available to provide home security assessments and install devices such as locks and video doorbells.

Victims whose offenders are being released early will be notified and directed to support services in their area. Preston said he was keen to 'raise awareness of the local offer of support available here in our county to ensure victims feel safe, informed and supported'. A national Offender Release Helpline, run by Victim Support, also operates Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm on 0808 168 9280. The Early Release Scheme, known as the Progression Model, applies to offenders with fixed-term sentences and requires all released individuals to be subject to licence conditions and a period of intensive supervision.

How it is being reported

• £195,000 boost for Cambridgeshire victims amid early offender releasesExtra support has been made available to victims of crime in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.Ely Standard · 13 Nov, 17:30
• £195,000 boost for Cambridgeshire victims amid early offender releasesExtra support has been made available to victims of crime in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.Cambs Times · 13 Nov, 17:30

In this story: Darryl Preston · Cambridgeshire · Peterborough · Victim Support · Victim and Witness Hub

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