Official Launch of the West Mercia new Victim Advice Line – 1st April 2019
01/04/2019
By 2018 Nathaniel Hone
To Hindlip Hall, HQ of the West Mercia Police which covers Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire, joined by Cassian Roberts, outgoing High Sheriff of Worcestershire and Josh Dixey, newly minted High Sheriff of Shropshire, for the Official Launch of West Mercia’s new Victim Support Line. They have, in effect, taken in house, the service previously offered by Victim Support, an independent charity. The ten or so dedicated people providing this service sit in the same control room next door to the police team that are working on the crime. They will have access to the same information and will be able to update the victims of crime on the progress of the investigation as well as direct victims to specialist services to help alleviate the consequences of the crime, whatever it was.
It should also save police time since dedicated people who are not fully trained police officers will keep victims in the picture while the trained police officers concentrate on the crime itself.
The Hon Lady Morrison, Vice Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire led the ceremony to launch the service and cut a cake (since there was nowhere to put a ribbon!). This is much to be preferred.
Here is an article on the West Mercia Web-site. Note the number 0800 952 3000. It has its own web-site here.
After the launch, the three High Sheriffs sat down with Martin Evans, Assistant Chief Constable for a debrief on various matters, including National Crimebeat – under the aegis of the High Sheriff Association- that rewards innovative crime prevention initiatives.
