VICTIMS of crime across Somerset will soon benefit from more than £370,000 of funding for support.

Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said it involves a joined-up approach to victims services and “has the voice of victims at its heart”.

She added: “We are working on a pioneering approach to transform services for victims of crime.

“From October this year a oneteam approach will provide coordinated, end-to-end care at every stage of a victims journey through the criminal justice system.”

The money is part of a £12.5 million fund which comes from additional receipts from offenders, raised through the victim surcharge and increased financial penalties such as penalty notices for disorder.

Victims’ Minister Damian Green said: “Victims of crime need and deserve the best possible support to cope with what they have been through. That’s why Government is raising more money than ever before from offenders to fund vital services to help victims move on with their lives.

“The excellent and innovative ideas put forward for this fund show exactly why PCCs are best placed to understand the needs of their local communities and commission the majority of victims’ services. I’ve no doubt they will make a difference to victims up and down the country.”