£4.5 million funding is being spent in Wiltshire this year as part of a campaign to ensure victims of crime can gain support.

The aim is to contribute towards community safety, and to reduce instances of serious violence.

As part of the new campaign launched by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) victims are told they do not need to report a crime to Wiltshire Police to receive support.

The Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “Supporting victims in the time when they are most vulnerable and need help is a core priority for my office and is a clear priority contained within my police and crime plan. We know we cannot eradicate crime completely so we must ensure the service we are funding is delivering for victims when they need it most. 

Read more: MP John Glen thanks first responders

“Data collated from our victims survey revealed just over 40% of respondents said that they were not given details of support services that help victims of crime when they reported the incident, and over a third of respondents who said they had not reported the crime to the Police were not aware that they could still access support services.” 

The services commissioned and funded by the OPCC include grants to Wiltshire’s Horizon service supporting victims and providing justice services. There will be funding to support children who have been victims of crime and funding to provide Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs).

Funding will also go to Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) for victims’ support and to provide refuge and safe spaces for victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Read more: Extent of car crash revealed

The Sexual Assault Referral funding will ensure victims of serious sexual offences will gain support without the need for a police referral.

PCC Philip Wilkinson said: “We are now working with Wiltshire Police, our commissioned service providers, charities, and other key organisations including Swindon Borough Council and Wiltshire Council to effectively deliver this campaign, ensuring we raise awareness of all support services as well as clearly signposting how to access them.” 

The OPCC’s Commissioned Services ensures all funding is allocated to organisations and charities so to deliver the PCC’s Making Wiltshire Safe: Police and Crime Plan 2022-2025 and the Wiltshire Criminal Justice Board (WCJB) Strategy.

Head of Crime Standards and Justice, Temporary Detective Superintendent Guy Elkins, said: “We are committed to providing the highest levels of service to victims.

“We know that not everyone feels comfortable reporting directly to the police, therefore these commissioned services are vital in providing additional support and guidance.”