Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring victims of crime receive the highest level of support from both victim services and Wiltshire Police - as Horizon Victim and Witness Care marks a decade of specialist support.

Horizon Victim and Witness Care provides tailored assistance to all victims of crime, which is funded and commissioned by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, regardless of when the crime occurred or whether it was reported to the police.

The service has supported hundreds of thousands of victims and witnesses since its formation as part of the-then Police and Crime Plan in 2015, with 75,000 of these being vulnerable victims and around 9,000 victims and witnesses being supported through the court process at any one time.

Mr Wilkinson said: "Supporting victims of crime is at the heart of my mission to make Wiltshire safer.

"I am committed to ensuring no victim feels left behind. The Horizon team works tirelessly to offer emotional support, practical assistance, and guidance throughout the criminal justice process—every victim deserves to be treated with respect, dignity, and compassion."

Horizon offers a range of services, including complete support for all victims and witnesses through the court process and a dedicated victim and witness care officers for those identified as most vulnerable. The service also provides restorative justice opportunities, helping victims find closure and healing.

Julia Gay, Head of Victim Service, said, "Our team is dedicated to ensuring every victim receives the support they need to navigate the aftermath of a crime. We are here to listen, assist, and empower victims, helping them rebuild their lives with confidence and dignity. I’m incredibly proud of the difference our team has made to victims and witnesses at their most vulnerable."

Each year the OPCC spends £2.75m commissioning victim support services for victims and witnesses to ensure that all those impacted by crime receive the most appropriate support tailored to their needs. This includes specialist support services for victims of sexual violence, those who have experienced domestic abuse and children & young people.

Victims code of practice

The Victims’ Code outlines the minimum level of service that victims should expect from the criminal justice system when they report a crime, it sets out what each criminal justice agency must do for victims and the timeframe they must do it.

As part of the code the police must ensure that crimes are recorded without unjustified delay, that victims are referred to services that support victims and updated on the investigation and prosecution.

Mr Wilkinson added: "Supporting victims and witnesses is at the heart of policing and we recognise that there have been challenges in the past in how Wiltshire Police has responded to victims. However, under the Chief Constable’s leadership, there has been significant progress in improving the way victims are engaged with and supported. Both my office and Wiltshire Police remain fully committed to continually strengthening these services to ensure victims receive the best possible care and support.

“The Chief Constable and I are dedicated to making sure that every victim and witness feels heard, informed, and supported throughout their journey. Wiltshire Police has introduced innovative solutions, such as the use of robotics to improve the timeliness and accuracy of victim updates, alongside ongoing monitoring of victim satisfaction to identify areas for further improvement. We will continue working closely with specialist support services and listening to those with lived experience to shape and enhance the way victims are supported across Wiltshire."

For more information about the support available to victims of crime in Wiltshire and Swindon, please visit the Victim and Witness Hub on the OPCC website.

Published Friday 28 February 2025