£450,000 fund for victims of crime launched by Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Grove

VICTIMS of crime have been promised greater support to help them recover – thanks to a £450,000 cash injection.

The Services Fund has been launched by Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Grove and aims to ensure victims of crime are properly cared for.

It has been made available by the Ministry of Justice to be used between now and March, with the commissioner taking charge of the grants.

A total of £400,000 will be available to fund the services and £50,000 will be ploughed into training and equipping volunteers to support victims of antisocial behaviour and nuisance crimes.

Mr Grove said he hopes the funding will ensure no victim of crime is left without support.

He said: "When I meet with victims of crime, they tell me not just of the ordeal they suffered, but the support and sometimes lack of support they were given.

"The victim must always come first as these crimes erode and damage the lives of not only the victim, but often their families, too."

The funding is available for voluntary and community groups, community safety organisations and private businesses to apply for.

It aims to allow them to deliver specialist services to help victims cope with the impact of crime.

Mr Grove said: "I want to improve services for all victims of criminality, but in particular those who have suffered the most serious of offences such as sexual offences and domestic violence, robbery and wounding with intent.

"Priority will also be given to victims who are persistently and deliberately targeted over a period of time and the most vulnerable members of our society, who may be isolated, lack family or social support, or need assistance in coping with the aftermath of crime because of age or disability."

Mr Grove said he hopes the money will also encourage more victims to come forward.

He said: "I want victims to have the confidence to come forward, knowing they will receive the best service for their needs, free of charge and confidential, that will help them recover from their ordeal and move on with their lives.

"The funds I grant will be to the organisations and groups who share my vision."

Many organisations, including Victim Support Yorkshire and Humber, Hull Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Service and Hull Women's Aid would not exist without funding.

Hull Women's Aid is an independent charity providing support to women and children experiencing domestic abuse.

Michelle Donnelly, service manager at Hull Women's Aid, said: "The only way that we can survive at the moment is via funding from Hull City Council but that's only until 2017, so we are continuously putting in bids for grants.

"We are the only refuge in Hull so we class ourselves as a lifeline for the women that need us.

"We deal with a lot of high-risk cases. There is a high demand from women who are fleeing domestic violence, so funding like this is absolutely fantastic and vital."

Grant applications should be submitted to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner via the application form available on its website.

Services commissioned or provided must be:

• In the interest of the victim.

• Free of charge.

• Confidential.

• Non-discriminatory.

• Available whether or not a crime has been reported to the police.

• Available before, during and for an appropriate time after any criminal proceedings.

The closing date for applications is Friday, September 19.

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