A free, confidential service which helps victims cope and recover from the impact of crime has been recommissioned in a contract worth almost £3 million over the next five years.
The Staffordshire Victim Gateway, which has operated across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent since 2016, is funded by the Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime through the Ministry of Justice’s Victim Grant.
The service provides advice, information, supported handover to specialist services, emotional and practical support to help victims take back control of their lives, regardless of when the incident or crime took place, or if it has been reported to the Police.
Victim Support takes over the contract, worth £2,966,204.11 across five years, from Citizens Advice Staffordshire North and Stoke-on-Trent, which has operated the service since 2015.
Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime, Ben Adams said: “The Staffordshire Victim Gateway puts the needs of victims and their families at the heart of everything it does, through a tailored approach which helps them cope and recover from the impact of crime.
“I’m delighted to announce that Victim Support has won the contract following a rigorous procurement process. The service supported over 62,000 victims over the last year, and this contract ensures it can be there for the next five years to help people live fulfilling, independent lives following a crime.”
The Staffordshire Victim Gateway service provides:
- An accessible ‘front door’ service for all adult and child victims of crime, whatever their residence status, citizenship or nationality, to manage referrals and ensure all victims understand their rights and what will happen next
- A ‘cope and recover’ support service, offering tailored, victim-led interventions informed by their individual needs and risks
- Awareness-raising sessions for professionals and the community, increasing their knowledge and understanding of the support available
- A single point of contact for providing and facilitating support for victims in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent in the event of major incidents
Between 1 April and 31 December 2024, Staffordshire Victim Gateway:
- Received 46,400 referrals
- Provided 36,482 victims with advice, guidance and information
- Successfully triaged 16,883 victims
- Provided supported handovers to 5,243 victims, to specialist support services
- Provided 1,233 victims with practical and emotional support
Melina Hancox, Area Manager at Victim Support Staffordshire, said: “We are delighted to be delivering this vital support service for tens of thousands of victims across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. Our specialist staff tailor support to each individual, helping them to cope, recover and rebuild their life after crime.
“As an independent charity, victims can access our services regardless of whether or not they have reported to the police. We look forward to working closely with the Police and Crime Commissioner, alongside other local support services, to deliver the best possible support for victims of crime.”
For information, advice or support, call Staffordshire Victim Gateway on 0330 0881 339 (calls charged at local rate). Lines are open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 4.30pm, and 10am to 3pm on Bank Holidays.
