VICTIMS of crime and anti-social behaviour will benefit from enhanced help and support with newly-commissioned services beginning from April 2015.

The Ministry of Justice transferred responsibility for commissioning local victim services in Avon and Somerset to Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens and her team has consulted with victims, partners and service providers to explore what services people want and identify gaps in provision.

A commissioning plan was developed and organisations were able to bid to provide the services.

Successful providers have been selected and will begin delivering services in April 2015.

Ms Mountstevens said “We’ve used this opportunity to speak to victims in our area as well as organisations to find out what people in our communities need.

We’ve started from scratch to review what’s right for our communities and come up with a fresh approach.”

Services and support will be provided by Avon and Somerset Police, Victim Support, the Care Forum, North Somerset Youth Offending Team, SafeLink, and Unseen UK to cover victims of crime, emotional support, adults advocacy service, young persons’ advocacy service, sexual violence and modern slavery.