PRESS RELEASE FROM THE POLICE COMMISSIONER FOR
MERSEYSIDE
For immediate release
Help shape the future of victim support: PCC calls for victims of
crime to share their views
Victims of crime in Merseyside are being urged to share their experience of the
support they received to help others.
Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, is asking anyone who
has been affected by crime in the last three years to share their views in order to
help shape and improve the support services that are provided in the future.
Emily runs Victim Care Merseyside – a specialist package of support designed to
give all victims and survivors of crime the best possible help and care to cope and
recover in the aftermath of a crime.
The Victim Care Merseyside service consists of a hub of trained staff acting as a
single point of contact for all victims and survivors, offering access to free,
confidential advice and support. It also includes a range of specialist support
services delivered by 10 independent local organisations providing bespoke,
dedicated care to the most vulnerable victims of crime.
The service is designed to prevent people becoming repeat victims, protect victims
from further harm and help them to better cope and recover following the crime. It
also ensures services are joined-up and consistent around the region, preventing
anyone from being subjected to a postcode lottery of care.
Over the last year, almost 60,000 victims have been supported by these services.
The Commissioner is now reviewing this provision to ensure it still meets the
evolving needs of victims in Merseyside. She is carrying out a consultation to
consider how care and support should be delivered from 2027-2032.
As part of a six-month Merseyside-wide consultation, the Commissioner is asking
people to take part in a short online survey at Merseyside Victim Experience Survey
2025 which aims to test how well existing referral processes and support services
are working, and where improvements might be made in the future.
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell said: “The Victim
Care Merseyside service is doing vital work providing often life-changing care for
victims every day, but we’re not complacent about the need to constantly look for
ways we can improve.
“It is essential that victims of crime in Merseyside have access to the best support
services and it is only by listening intently to the voices of those who have been a
victim and gone through this experience that we can be sure we are doing the best
we can.
“This survey is a crucial part of our ongoing commitment to support victims of crime
and ensure that the services we provide are effective, comprehensive, and
responsive to the needs of our community.
“We have witnessed first-hand the profound impact that effective support services
can have on individuals who have experienced crime, and it is crucial that we
continue to listen to those affected, ensuring our services not only meet their needs
but also evolve to address new challenges.
“By sharing your experiences, you’re contributing to a vital dialogue that will shape
the future of victim support in Merseyside.
“Whether or not you reported the crime to the police, your experiences and opinions
are essential in shaping the services provided to victims in the future. We want to
understand what support helped you during your recovery, whether you felt you
received adequate support when you needed it most, and what services you believe
should be available in the future.
“Your participation is key to helping us achieve this goal and make a real difference
in victims’ lives. Together, we can build a stronger, more supportive community for
everyone.”
The Commissioner’s team will also be consulting with community organisations and
groups and directly with the services which support victims to look at the overall
picture of support for victims in Merseyside.
As well as the Victim Care Merseyside hub and the 10 additional specialist support
services, the PCC runs the www.VictimCareMerseyside.org website which acts as
one-stop shop of information and advice for victims.
The survey will run until Monday 1st December 2025. Please share your
experiences at Merseyside Victim Experience Survey 2025.
If you’ve been affected by crime, call Victim Care Merseyside Freephone 0808 175
3080 on weekdays between 8am and 6pm.
Alternatively, request support online any time at www.victimcaremerseyside.org
Ends
Notes to Editors
Press Enquiries
For more information contact:
Press office for the Police and Crime Commissioner –
PCC.Press.Office@merseysidepcc.info
(0151) 777 5193