The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Thames Valley, Anthony Stansfeld, has today launched his ‘Victims First’ brand and website. 

 

Victims First is the new overarching title for the PCCs work in providing support, increasing accessibility and improving services for victims of crime across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. 

 

The first initiative under ‘Victims First’ is a new online resource which has advice on what to do and how to get help if you’ve been a victim of crime, including information on what you should expect from the police and other criminal justice agencies if you report the crime. 

 

The focal point of the website is a directory which allows victims to find relevant support to help them cope and recover from the impact of the crime. Members of the public will be able to use the website to refer themselves directly to the PCCs own support services, using the online form, or find information and contact details for other organisations. This support is available regardless of whether or not the victim has reported the crime to the police. 

 

The website has information and advice to help people to recognise hidden crimes such as modern slavery, domestic abuse, including coercive control, and hate crime. Victims First also provides a third party reporting mechanism for hate crime so that those who don’t want to report directly to the police can either complete a reporting form on the website or call 0300 1234 148. 

 

The PCC has undertaken extensive work to improve support for victims of crime, including commissioning new services for young victims, victims of sexual violence, a victim-led restorative justice service and a local support service to assist other victims. 

 

Victims First encompasses all of this work and will expand over the coming year, with the PCC reviewing his services to ensure that victims continue to have appropriate support in place, are able to easily access it and that agencies, including the police, are victim-focussed. 

 

Anthony Stansfeld, Police and Crime Commissioner said: “I recently launched my new Police and Crime Plan which reaffirmed my commitment to making sure that victims have access to the support they need to cope and recover from the impact of crime. The launch of Victims First and the website is a key milestone in my work in this area and will allow victims to easily find information and support in one place. 

 

“I believe it will be a valuable resource not just for victims but also for people and organisations that come into contact with victims of crime who can now use the website to find and refer people to an appropriate service. 

 

“Victims First will continue to develop over the next year with plans to create a single referral doorway, a specialist counselling service and community signposting points with the aim of simplifying access and improving support for victims.” 

 

Editors Notes 

 

The website is www.victims-first.org.uk 

 

The Police and Crime Commissioner will be available for interview. If you would like to arrange an interview please email opcc.comms@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk or call 01865 541950 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Youth Advice & Guidance is a free and confidential service for young people in Milton Keynes aged 16-19 (up to 25 for those with learning difficulties or disabilities) who are not in employment, education or training. Our skilled and experienced Personal Advisers are here to help you make decisions and take action. We offer: 

 

• Information and advice on applying for jobs, apprenticeships, traineeships or education 

• Practical support with applications and CVs 

• Free use of our IT facilities at the library for job search 

• A matching service for jobs and apprenticeships 

• A drop in service at the Central Milton Keynes Library and Job Centre 

 

• Phone - 01908 254410. 

• Email – youth@milton-keynes.gov.uk 

• Website - https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/youth-faculty 

• Or drop in to see us Monday – Friday 1:00-4:00pm at the Flexible Learning Centre attached to CMK library. 

 

Youth and Community Work offers a varied curriculum, providing opportunities to develop young people’s social and emotional capabilities. It is young person-centred, enabling them to use their voice, skills and influence to reach their full potential. 

 

We do this by: 

 

• Working in communities throughout the year to develop provision for young people in their leisure time 

• Targeted programmes for vulnerable young people to address their needs 

• Empowering young people’s Voice to ensure they are involved in the design, delivery and governance of services. 

 

For further information please contact: 

 

• Phone – 01908 253210 

• Email – youth@milton-keynes.gov.uk 

 

 

Could you foster a young person or teenager in need of a safe and caring home? Click here for details 

 

Find your local JobCentre Plus including address information, opening times and contact details. Jobcentre Near Me makes it easy to find your nearest jobcentre plus offices and information about benenfits, support and Universal Jobmatch.