Crime: Victims

Baroness Scotland of Asthal Excerpts

Wednesday 13th June 2012 Lords Chamber

[Lord McNally]

That is exactly what we are doing. We intend to put more into victim support and to focus compensation much more effectively.

[Baroness Scotland of Asthal]

My Lords, in this new construct that the noble Lord is putting forward, how can we be assured of the quality of the support that is given to victims if it is disaggregated in the way that the Government are contemplating?

[Lord McNally]

Quality will come partly from local accountability and the fact that support will be devolved to the new police commissioners, who will have responsibility for victims. That is a very healthy development. I do not want the new police and crime commissioners to see their role as second-guessing chief constables. They should have a wider role in their responsibility for police and crime. If victims are high on their list of priorities, the democratic process will ensure service and accountability.