South Wales Victim Focus is funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Rt Hon Alun Michael. In 1974 the Commissioner was one of three people who set up the first Victim Support Group in Wales following a similar initiative by NACRO in Bristol. Victim Support’s roots go deep into the recent history in South Wales and the Commissioner is very proud to still be working with Victim Support today as they deliver this essential service to those affected by crime in South Wales.
The Commissioner has held a long-standing role as a champion of the voluntary sector. His understanding of the vital role volunteers have locally comes from being brought up in a family where volunteering was a way of life. He had the privilege of working with the sector across all four nations of the UK between 1992 and 1997 to develop Labour’s policies and to put those policies into practice as Deputy Home Secretary, introducing the compact arrangements that have worked effectively in South Wales.
Police and Crime Commissioners are elected representatives who work to ensure police forces in England and Wales are running effectively. The Rt Hon Alun Michael became the first Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales on 22nd November 2012 and was re-elected for a second term on 6th May 2016.
In April 2015, the Ministry of Justice passed responsibility to Police and Crime Commissioners for the funding of some victim services. The Commissioner and his team work with partners and service providers to explore what services people need and identify gaps in current provision. Local victims are also consulted to establish their needs, their experiences of victim contact and suggestions for how services should be shaped.
Improving outcomes for victims of crime is a key priority for the Commissioner and this is spelt out in his Police and Crime Reduction Plan. The plan sets the priorities for the Police and makes a commitment in South Wales to work to protect the most vulnerable individuals in our communities and to ensure that the local criminal justice system works effectively and efficiently to meet the needs of victims.
Visit the website for the South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner to:
- Learn more about the role of the Commissioner
- Access a copy of the Police and Crime Reduction Plan
- Find out more about other projects funded by the Commissioner
- Hear about opportunities for engagement and consultation