On the 28th January 2013, the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Charles hosted a Victims and Witnesses Convention to mark the beginning of an on-going dialogue between organisations working to agree a commissioning plan to support victims and witnesses within Derbyshire.
Representatives from a range of organisations involved in supporting victims and witnesses gathered together to provide an insight into the current service across the county and to share knowledge, experience and best practice within their areas of expertise. The conference provided speakers from the police and crime commissioner’s office, the police, and the crown prosecution service.
The subjects covered during the day were:
- Anti-Social Behaviour
- Domestic Violence
- Hate Crime
- Restorative Justice
- Road Victims
- Service Experience
- Sexual Violence
- Young People
The conference identified the different gaps and possible actions that are the next steps for organisations working with victims and witnesses.
The responsibility for commissioning services for victims and witnesses was transferred from the Ministry of Justice to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner on 1st October 2014 where the Police and Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire was one of 7 PCCs that was an early adopter of this responsibility.
