Devon & Cornwall Police launch first Victim Focus Week

Devon & Cornwall Police has launched its first-ever Victim Focus Week (April 28–May 2) in a major push to highlight the support available to victims of crime, abuse, and antisocial behaviour—and to ensure those affected receive the care and justice they deserve.

Marking the 10th anniversary of the force’s Victim Care Unit (VCU), the week-long initiative aims to raise awareness of the specialist, free support service, and to reaffirm the police's commitment to being more victim-centred in its investigations and procedures. The campaign also seeks to improve public understanding of the emotional, psychological, and practical toll that crime can take on individuals and families.

Among the most powerful elements of the week will be the Lived Experience Day, part of a broader conversation on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Victims of domestic abuse, stalking, and sexual offences will bravely share their stories, including how they were treated by the justice system and what support they received.

One such story will come from Lisa Squire, the mother of 21-year-old student Libby Squire, who was raped and murdered in Hull in 2019. The horrific crime, and the revelation that her daughter’s killer had a history of offences against women, has driven Lisa to campaign nationally for early intervention and increased reporting of non-contact sexual offences—offences she believes, if taken seriously, could have prevented her daughter’s death.

A Growing Need for Victim Support

The launch of Victim Focus Week comes against a backdrop of rising crime. In the 12 months to February 2025, Devon and Cornwall Police recorded 104,811 victim-based crimes—a 13.5% increase from the previous year. In response, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) has committed more than £9.5 million in funding for 2024–25 to support victims through over 40 commissioned services across the region.

Topics to be explored during the week include:

• Fraud and its wider societal impact

• Stalking and its long-term effects

• Overview of services available to victims

• Insights from victims and how their feedback shapes policing improvements

Putting Victims First

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez voiced strong support for the initiative, acknowledging that while many officers perform their duties with care and professionalism, some victims still feel unsupported or unheard.

“Despite the excellent job so many officers do, there are still times when victims don’t receive the support they should,” said Hernandez. “Victim Focus Week is about ensuring people are signposted to the right services and treated with dignity and care throughout their experience.”

She also highlighted the barriers to reporting crime, from fear of not being believed to concerns about the justice process, noting that the full scale of victimisation is likely much larger than reported figures suggest.

“I want to say clearly to anyone who has been a victim of crime, no matter how long ago it happened: you are not alone. When you’re ready, help is available,” she added.

How to Access Help

• Victim Care Unit (Devon & Cornwall Police):
  01392 475900
  victimcareunit@dc.police.uk
  www.victimcare-dc.org

• Victim Support (for those who haven’t reported to police):
  www.victimsupport.org.uk
  ☎️ 0808 168 9111 (24-hour helpline)