Date
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Andy Dunbobbin and his Deputy Wayne Jones visited the Victim Help Centre in St. Asaph to learn more about its work in the community, the importance of continued funding from the office of the PCC for its work and to meet the team working to ensure victims of crime across North Wales have somewhere to turn for support when they need it.
The Victim Help Centre, delivered by the independent charity Victim Support, is a one-stop-shop for victims across the whole of North Wales. Once a referral has been made, a Victim Help Officer will contact the victim to ask them about their experience of crime, and to identify their support needs and the options available to them. Support can be provided over the phone, virtually, or in-person. Anyone who experiences a crime or traumatic incident can access support from the Victim Help Centre. If someone chooses to report to North Wales Police, they can refer that person into the Help Centre. However, victims can also self-refer if they choose not to report to the police.
The Office of the PCC funds the service as part of its work to make North Wales safer for residents, and it also reflects the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan, which sets out is his vision to support victims and communities across North Wales. The recent contract renewal secures the services of the Victim Help Centre for the future, and also includes several areas of increased provision for victims.
The centre includes specialist caseworkers such as domestic abuse, mental health and wellbeing, fraud, Modern Slavery, and serious crime, in addition to the newest area – a children and young person’s caseworker. The centre also has a team of trained staff who can support victims of all crime types such as burglary, antisocial behaviour and assaults. Staff at the centre are further supported by volunteers who assist victims across North Wales. Since the centre opened in 2015 it has supported on average over 6,500 victims per year.
During his visit, Andy Dunbobbin heard about the excitement at the renewed contract, issues facing victims and plans for the future, the management of the Victim Help Centre. Andy also spoke to individual caseworkers about their specific areas of expertise.
Andy Dunbobbin, PCC for North Wales, commented: “I was delighted to visit the Victim Help Centre in St Asaph and I am pleased that my office has been able to once again help fund its valuable work on behalf of victims in North Wales.
“While my role as PCC is to act as the voice of the people in policing, the Victim Help Centre is another example of the work my team and I also do in funding services that offer advice and assistance for people across North Wales. In addition to this, my team also has an important role in scrutinising the work of these services so that they offer value for money and excellent quality of provision for the people of the area.
“I am also pleased to see the growth and diversity in the team at the Victim Help Centre, with increased specialist support in particular areas of crime. This means that the victim is assured of expert advice depending on their circumstances, and that people in North Wales are able to know that, if the worst happens, there is someone there to help. This is in line with the priority in my plan to fight crime in North Wales and of supporting victims and communities wherever they are.”
Jessica Rees, Area Manager for Wales at Victim Support, commented: “We are thrilled that we have been commissioned to continue delivering much needed support for victims of crime in North Wales. Our specialist service will see caseworkers who understand the local area tailoring support to people’s individual needs. As an independent charity, victims can access our services regardless of whether or not they have reported to the police. We look forward to working with the Police and Crime Commissioner to deliver the best possible support to victims.”