Kent Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott – Library image :::
Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott, is thrilled to announce that his office has provided assistance to over 102,000 victims of crime across the county in the past year. This marks a significant increase of 2% compared to the previous year, demonstrating a growing commitment to supporting individuals affected by many offences.
Scott’s Commissioning Team has been instrumental in securing funding for projects aimed at helping victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking, hate crime, gang exploitation, bereavement caused by road deaths, fraud, and restorative justice. Additionally, the Commissioner has supported a program focused on working with persistent perpetrators of domestic abuse and stalking to prevent future incidents.
The data reveals a remarkable impact, with more than 4,400 victims of domestic abuse, including both adults and children, receiving support from 16 specialised charities. Nearly 3,000 victims of sexual violence were offered counselling, and eight families who had experienced bereavement due to domestic abuse were provided assistance.
One of the most encouraging statistics is that nearly 900 victims who had previously hesitated to report the crime to the police felt empowered to do so thanks to the support they received. This demonstrates the vital role that these services play in fostering trust and encouraging individuals to come forward.
Matthew Scott expressed his pride in the achievements of his office and emphasized the importance of continuing to provide comprehensive support to victims of crime. He highlighted the positive impact that these services have on individuals and communities, and reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that all victims have access to the help they need.