A NEW contract has come into force to give more support to Dorset’s victims of crime.

The county’s Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill made history earlier this year as the first in the country to commission a local service for victims. Previously, victim support was driven nationally and funded by the Ministry of Justice.

But a new contract that was signed and came in to effect yesterday will guarantee an enhanced service administered locally for the next three years.

The independent charity for victims and witnesses of crime, Victim Support, will continue to provide confidential support and free advice until 2017 with a new and innovative approach.

The phased programme will include the introduction of a 24-hour helpline for victims of crime and additional support for victims of anti-social behaviour and business crime.

The size of the Victim Support team in Dorset will also double.

Martyn Underhill said: “This new contract is really exciting and is about putting the focus back on victims rather than the offender, supporting them through their whole journey and not just on the day of the crime. I am really proud that we are the first in the country to award this contract. This will make the victim’s journey easier and hopefully shorter.”

Rhiannon Evans, victim support divisional manager for Dorset, said: “This new contract gives us the opportunity to provide a more enhanced service to victims and to reach out to many more victims than we have been able to in the past. We know from helping thousands of victims and witnesses across Dorset every year how often people affected by crime need help to move on and this new service will give them the practical and emotional support they need.

“We look forward to working closely with the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner, the new Dorset Victims’ Bureau and our partners in other charities across the county to help victims find the strength to cope and recover.”