Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire Jonathan Ash-Edwards has awarded £722,000 to run Beacon victim care centre for the next year.

The PCC has allocated the central government money, which comes from the Ministry of Justice’s Victim Commissioning Fund, to Catch22 who run the centre.

Hertfordshire’s Beacon victim care centre runs one of the UK’s more comprehensive schemes for victims.

Independent case managers provide emotional and practical support to victims of crime. It is also available to those who have not reported the offence to the police.

Mr Ash-Edwards said: “Here in Hertfordshire with Beacon we have one of the best victims care services in the country with dedicated independent professionals on hand to help those affected by crime.

“It’s not always easy for victims to come forward and ask for help. But whether it’s fraud, domestic violence or anti-social behaviour, Beacon are there to make sure they have someone to talk to, who they can trust and who has the expertise to help them recover.

“They also play a vital part in ensuring that victims are cared for and kept updated as their case progresses through the investigation and judicial system.”

The Police and Crime Commissioner is responsible for ensuring the provision of victim support services within their policing area, but it is funded by central government through  a victims commissioning grant.

The Beacon team consists of  specialist case managers who will provide a complete wrap-around service to help victims to cope and recover.

The Beacon Case Managed Service is available to all victims of crime regardless of when the crime was committed or whether the crime has been reported. Individuals will be supported on the journey to recovery by case managed support dependent on the individual’s needs and wishes.

The service offered and expertise available focuses on specialist provision to victims of the most serious crimes types;  Hate Crime, Grievous Bodily Harm, Children and Young Persons Victims of Abuse, Victims of Stalking and Victims of Sexual and Domestic Abuse, fraud and those victims deemed to be vulnerable or intimidated, or have been persistently targeted  who are entitled to ‘Enhanced Rights’ under the Victims Code of Practice. The service will provide organisational expertise in supporting victims of crime to both cope with the immediate impact of crime and to recover over the long term that includes but not limited to in-depth needs assessment, creation of a support plan, emotional and practical support and advocacy.

Beacon can be contacted by phone: 03000 11 55 55 by email at [email protected] or at their website hertfordshirebeacon.org.