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Victim and witness champion appointed for Nottingham city

Jane Overton, the City’s Branch Manager for Victim Support has been appointed as Nottingham City’s Anti-Social Behaviour Victim & Witness Champion.

Jane has been involved with Victim Support for over 15 years starting out as a part-time volunteer in 1995, leading to a full-time role when Victim Support became a salaried service in 1999.

In her new post, Jane will support and guide local people in the routes to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour together with her newly appointed Caseworker. Jane will also act as the voice for victims and witnesses of ASB and will challenge any agencies that do not deliver an adequate level of customer service.

Jane Overton, Victim & Witness Champion, Victim Support said, “Standing up to anti-social behaviour can take real courage. Its not easy having to go to court and give evidence against someone who you may have to return home and live next door to.

“The people of Nottingham need to know that they’re not alone and that independent support in tackling ASB is available to them. I want people to reclaim their lives and so I urge anyone who is a victim of anti-social behaviour to come forward and access the extra help I can give them.”

In October 2009, Home Secretary, Jack Straw, announced funding of £2.8 million to establish Victim & Witness champions in 85 priority areas.

This appointment is part of the Home Office Justice Seen Justice Done campaign; a cross-government programme to address public concerns about crime & justice and raise the public’s awareness and understanding of the services they are entitled to from the police and other agencies including those for victims.

The overall aim of this new post is to deliver practical help to those taking a stand against anti-social behaviour. The Victim & Witness Champion role will specifically look to:

• Support people by making sure more victims of ASB are helped to come forward and are supported when giving evidence in court
• Provide a single local contact/referral point for all ASB victims and witnesses
• Promote the service – making sure the public in the local area know about the service and that it is available across the area and adding to what is already in place for victims of crime

Richard Antcliff, Chief ASB Officer for Community Protection said, “Jane brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role and this appointment is a significant and important role that we as a city welcome. Any agency whether that be the police, council or a housing organisation, need to understand that offering anything other than a first class service to victims and witnesses is unacceptable. Members of the public, especially those who have bothered to put their head above the parapet, need to be protected and supported. Victims champions carry the voice of the public and if services aren’t delivering the goods then they can expect to be challenged”

If you are a city resident and need support and guidance in putting a stop to anti-social behaviour you or your neighbours are suffering from, you can contact Jane Overton on 0115 844 5092 or email jane.overton@victimsupport.org.uk

(Friday 26 March 09:00:00 GMT)

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