Cumbria Constabulary is set to launch a new video suite in South Furness to help support victims and witnesses of serious crimes.
Thanks to the support of Cumbria County Council, local councillors and the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership that have together secured the £26,500 needed to run the new facility, officers will officially open the video suite on Thursday 30 June 2011.
Currently, victims or witnesses of serious crime in South Furness who need to be video interviewed are transported to the nearest video suite facility which is in Windermere – a journey that can take up to an hour from the South Furness area. In addition to the inconvenience caused to the interviewees, this process cost Cumbria Constabulary around £13,000 in the time it took officers’ to travel to and from the premises each year, and approximately £3,000 per year in fuel.
Detective Sergeant Mike Brown is based in Barrow police station and has been leading the project. He said: “I am delighted that after more than a year of planning, South Furness is now able to provide a facility that will significantly improve the service and care provided to victims and witnesses of crime.
“This project has only been made possible by real partnership working and a shared understanding by organisations in the area that the responsibility to improve the standards of care to victims falls to everybody – not just the police.
“The law states that in cases involving vulnerable people, children or any sexual offences, victims need to be video interviewed. This is to ensure we secure the best possible evidence and get clear statements while memories are detailed and fresh. It also provides the best protection for a victim or witness in court.
“Those who contributed funding for this project recognise that it is vital that people involved in serious incidents like sexual or violent crimes are video interviewed at the earliest possible stage in order to help secure convictions. The new suite will be more accessible and is designed to be more comfortable and welcoming than an interview room in a police station. It aims to provide an environment that makes the interviewee as relaxed as possible in the hope of making the whole experience of recalling their experiences and being questioned by police less traumatic.”
Officers hope that the new facility will reduce the number of complaints that are withdrawn as previously individuals have refused to travel to Windermere to be interviewed. Officers have also had to stop and assist many victims who suffered from travel sickness – so they had an unpleasant experience before they even reached the interview suite.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Duhig from Cumbria Constabulary’s Public Protection Department said: “The opening of the interview suite tomorrow will make a real difference to vulnerable victims of crime in South Furness.
“This project is an excellent example of working positively with other key partners who are also committed to protecting the public, especially children and adults who may be at risk. At a time when Cumbria Constabulary has to save significant sums of money this new facility would not have been possible without the support of partner agencies and local councillors who donated so generously, and Cumbria County Council who have provided the building free of charge for five years.”
Councillor Gary Strong, Cumbria County Council's Cabinet member responsible for safer and stronger communities, said: "The County Council recognises the important role the new video suite will play in lessening the trauma to victims of crime.
"Tackling crime and supporting communities requires a fully co-ordinated multi-agency approach and that is what we've seen delivered here. Traditional boundaries between organisations have been broken down, there's been no buck-passing or finger pointing - instead we've all worked together to deliver something the people of Barrow need and deserve."
No comments:
Post a Comment