THE Avon and Somerset police and crime commissioner (PCC) has adopted two pledges which will influence the standards of care victims receive.

PCC Sue Mountstevens has signed an International Victims’ Pledge and adopted a Victims’ Manifesto to show her support for victims and raise awareness of the standards of care they should be receiving. The International Victims’ Pledge was funded in part by the Ministry of Justice to ensure that a European-wide minimum standard of care for victims is applied consistently, and by signing the pledge Ms Mountstevens hopes to ensure victims of crime and their families are support and empowered to know their rights.

The Victims’ Manifesto, created by the University of Leicester, follows two years’ of study of experiences, needs and expectations of victims, with key principles including the notion that organisations should simplify reporting procedures and make them more victim-friendly.

Ms Mountstevens said: “I want to make sure victims are at the heart of the criminal justice service and these pledges underline my commitment to them. Just as importantly, I hope it also encourages other people to think about victims and maybe even sign up to a pledge themselves.

“A lot of work is already being done to support victims and this includes the launch of six newly commissioned support services in April. I’m also very supportive of increased use of restorative justice and victim impact statements to give victims a louder voice and the opportunity to talk about how their ordeal affected their lives.

“There remain challenges for us to overcome and although victim satisfaction is good in Avon and Somerset we must work hard to increase it further. These pledges are a timely reminder for me, and for the police, that there’s still more to do.”