Police Question Time: Supporting Victims of Crime
Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody hosted this week’s Police Question Time (PQT) on 25th March 2025, focusing on the needs of victims.
Clare said:
“Priority four of my Police and Crime Plan is to support victims to ensure they get the help they need when they need it. As PCC, an important part of my role is to champion and be the voice for victims.”
Victims’ Code of Practice
Clare began by highlighting the Victims’ Code of Practice, a national framework that sets out minimum service standards that the police and Criminal Justice System must provide to victims. She asked Chief Constable Sarah Crew if Avon and Somerset Police have systems in place to ensure victims’ rights are upheld.
Sarah explained that the service monitors and reports on victims’ rights through performance management information compiled by the Performance and Insights team. This is done using the Ministry of Justice’s guidance and focuses on key areas such as:
- Timeliness of contact
- Outcome rates
- Victims’ personal statements
- Accuracy of crime recording
Learnings from Operation Soteria
Clare raised the importance of addressing the specific needs of victims of certain crime types, referencing Operation Soteria. This national initiative, launched in 2021, aims to improve the investigation and prosecution of rape and serious sexual offences by adopting a victim-centred, suspect-focused approach.
Chief Constable Sarah Crew highlighted two key lessons from the initiative:
- Procedural Justice: Ensuring victims feel treated with respect, listened to, and supported in achieving appropriate outcomes.
- Trauma-Informed Practices: Recognising and understanding the trauma victims may experience when reporting crimes and interacting with the police. This approach helps to avoid re-traumatisation during the process.
Future Focus and Challenges
As Chair of the Local Criminal Justice Board, Clare shared plans to establish a Victims’ Code of Practice group to address challenges and improve victim support. She also acknowledged the ongoing issue of delays in the court system and emphasised the importance of providing robust support to victims throughout their journey.
Clare raised additional questions about disproportionality and cases where victims feel they haven’t received the right response, signalling a commitment to addressing these concerns.
Watch Police Question Time
You can watch this Police Question Time session here:
If you are a victim of crime and would like to access support, you can contact Victim Support here: Victim Support charity – OPCC for Avon and Somerset
Next Month’s PQT
The next Police Question Time will take place on 16th April, from 12:00 to 12:30 pm, and will focus on investigations, including missing persons. You can watch it live on: