Dorset’s Victim Support service, one of the first in the country, has been praised for its work.

Purbeck councillor Bill Pipe said he had been impressed by the way police, professionals and volunteers worked together on a visit to the Victim’s Hub at Gloucester Road in Bournemouth.

The centre was opened two years ago by Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill.

Speaking about a day-long visit to Gloucester House, Cllr Pipe told Tuesday’s Police and Crime Panel in Dorchester: “What we saw was how these offices should be run. Victim Support and the Police were working side by side..we saw commitment above and beyond what I would have expected.”

He said that the service had a well-funded pool of volunteers working alongside professionals.

Fellow Councillor, Barbara Manuel, who accompanied him on the visit said: “The care and support was most impressive and we came away thinking it was something to be proud of.”

The centre was recently visited by Baroness Newlove, who was appointed as the Victims’ Commissioner by the Government in 2012, and had been at the opening of the centre when she described it as “a step change” in the way victims are treated.

Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill also praised the work of the unit but said it had become short-staffed recently because a number of workers had been recruited by other agencies on the strength of their track record, including to the police.

Rights granted to victims of crime by the Government include a range of support measures with help also available for people who have witnessed crime. The rights of victims include being kept informed by the police, to hear when a suspect has been arrested, charged, bailed or sentenced, the right for extra support in court if you are vulnerable and the right to access support.

The Bournemouth-based hub is run by the Dorset Police Victims’ Bureau and the service supplier, the independent charity, Victim Support. At the time Dorset was only the second police force in the country to introduce a Victims Bureau.

In 2015, Victim Support offered immediate support to over 5,000 people affected by crime in Dorset, and gave in-depth support to more than 500 people.

If you been affected by crime, the local victim care team in Dorset can be contacted on 0300 3030 163. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am-6.30pm.