Victims and Policing Minister visits Leicestershire Police domestic abuse team

Mike Penning MP joins Sir Clive Loader and Detective Inspector Mark Parish

Victims’ and Policing Minister Mike Penning today saw first-hand the vital work of a domestic abuse and sexual violence project funded by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Sir Clive Loader.

Last year, PCCs were invited to compete for extra funding from the Ministry of Justice to add to the existing pot of money already given to fund services in their area. Sir Clive was successful in securing an additional amount (just under £400,000) to be used for supporting victims of the most serious crimes, victims who are vulnerable or intimidated and those who are persistently targeted.

Project 360 was set up in October as a multi-agency targeted approach to help victims. Funding was secured from the MoJ’s Competed Fund to cover two parts: supporting repeat victims of domestic abuse and creating a more consistent and joined up service across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland for victims of sexual violence. The project will trial an enhanced service to support repeated victims of domestic violence with short and long term support, and develop services for victims of serious sexual offences including a freephone helpline, outreach posts across the county, support for family and friends and training and awareness raising for the public and professionals.

This will ensure people who suffer from repeated domestic abuse or sexual violence have somewhere to turn to improve life for them and their families.

Mike Penning MP visited the Project 360 team, which is managed by the Leicestershire Police Domestic Abuse Team, along with Sir Clive Loader to see what has been achieved since the project started in October 2014.

He said: "Organisations like Project 360 do an incredible job in supporting victims and are an excellent example of why Police and Crime Commissioners are the best people to decide where money should be spent locally.

"We cannot underestimate the impact crime has on its victims, which is why this Government is spending more than ever before on specialist support, including diverting more than £40m to be spent on the ground by PCCs, on top of a wide range of new measures brought in to help victims cope, and where possible, recover and move on with their lives.

"These are making a huge difference across the country, and I was delighted to be here today to see the hard work of this invaluable organisation first hand."

Mr Penning also visited Leicestershire Police headquarters to meet with the Chief Constable, Simon Cole, to discuss the Force’s performance.

Sir Clive Loader said: “It was a real pleasure to welcome the Minister to Leicestershire and to show him what has been achieved with the additional funding we received from the Ministry of Justice. It has gone a long way in enhancing services that aim to improve the lives of victims affected by two very serious crime types.

“I was thrilled to showcase the great work we are doing here in Leicestershire, in partnership with other providers from across the city and counties that are committed to putting an end to these terrible crimes.”

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