VICTIMS and witnesses of crime in Cheshire are being encouraged to share their experiences as part of a national programme.

The Victims’ Services Advocates Project, organised by charity Victim Support, aims to gather information about people’s experiences of crime and raise awareness of important local issues facing victims and witnesses.

The project will also highlight the services currently available in England and Wales.

A report, highlighting important issues for victims and witnesses, will also ensure that police and crime commissioners have such priorities on their agenda when they are elected, later this year.

Paul Gallagher, Victims’ Services advocate for Cheshire, said it was important for victims and witnesses to have a voice.

He said: “We are asking local people to take part in this important project to represent the needs and views of people who have experienced crime in Cheshire.

“We want to find out how people have been treated as a victim or witness by the police and criminal justice system and if they have found suitable services to support them through a difficult time in their lives.”

Members of the project are particularly interested in speaking to victims and witnesses of anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse, sexual assault and hate crime.

Victims must have experience the crime within the past two years and not currently be involved in criminal justice proceedings or a court case relating to the crime.

The focus groups will be held during the next three months.

To take part in a focus group email paul.gallagher@victimsupport.org.uk or call 07506724961.

Visit victimsupport.org.uk for more details.