PCC welcomes national report to improve victims’ experience in the criminal justice system

PCC John Campion has welcomed a report looking into the quality-of-service victims of crime receive when entering the criminal justice system (CJS).

The latest report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and partners, in which West Mercia Police was not named, noted that the criminal justice system is not providing the highest quality of service to many victims. Contributing factors to this included competing demands, high workloads, poor communication and lack of experience.

As chair of the local criminal justice board in West Mercia, the PCC continues to work with partners to ensure victims are receiving the highest quality of service, as well as funding services such as the Victim Advice Line to provide victims and survivors with all the resources, they need to begin their road to recovery.

The PCC has also been supporting the call for PCCs to have a greater role in monitoring local compliance with the Victims’ Code through the Victims and Prisoners Bill.

PCC John Campion said: “Being a victim of crime is incredibly traumatising and it is the role of the CJS to ensure victims and survivors receive the highest standard of service to help them process often life-changing events.

“As the voice of the public in policing, I regularly hear from communities calling for the strengthening of the law to ensure victims get the justice they deserve and expect.

“This is why I am committed to putting victims and survivors first as part of my Safer West Mercia plan to ensure no individual is left unsupported following their experience with crime.

“As chair of the local criminal justice board in West Mercia, I will continue to work with partners to ensure victims’ experience of the CJS is improved.”