A dedicated helpline offering support to victims of crime concerned about how their crime has been dealt with by police will close on Friday 19 February.
Any new callers will be diverted automatically to the existing Greater Manchester Victims’ Service helpline for support to help them cope and recover, and victims of crime can still make a formal complaint or raise any concerns or issues about how their crime was dealt with by contacting Greater Manchester Police (GMP) directly.
The Greater Manchester Crime Support Line was launched in December 2020 to provide support to victims of crime who may have concerns about how their crime has been recorded by GMP or were not referred to victim support services.
It followed the publication of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS)’s report ‘Greater Manchester Police – Victim Service Assessment (VSA)’.
Since its launch there have been 240 calls to the helpline, which is being delivered by Victim Support on behalf of Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).
However, as there has been very few calls in recent weeks, the dedicated line will now close and callers will be diverted to the existing Greater Manchester Victims’ Services support line.
Bev Hughes, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire said: “The Greater Manchester Crime Support Line was launched in response to the concerning findings of the HMICFRS inspection, as part of a series of urgent actions to help restore public confidence and ensure that no victim of crime is left without the support they need.
“The support line has provided an additional and vital mechanism for victims of crime to seek reassurance that they are being taken seriously and to get the help they need to cope and recover. But due to the very low number of new callers in recent weeks, we have now made the decision to close the dedicated line and revert to our usual line mechanisms for victims to make contact.
“I want to reassure every victim of crime, that whilst the crime support line will close the wider existing support available to you remains available and accessible. You can contact the Greater Manchester Victims’ Services on 0161 200 1950 or visit gmvictims.org.uk.
“If you are not happy with the way GMP has dealt with your crime you can raise a complaint through the usual process via GMP’s website.”
