PEOPLE in Devon and Cornwall who have been affected by crime are being asked to take part in an anonymous survey. 

Funded by Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the survey aims to help build a picture of how Devon and Cornwall Police is supporting victims of crime.

The results will be used to improve the victim care journey. 

The survey is open to anyone who has been a victim of crime in the past two years, even if they have not reported it to police. 

Anyone under the age of 18 must get permission from a parent or guardian before taking part. 

Those completing the questionnaire will not have to give their name or any other identifying information.

It takes around 10 minutes to complete, and people taking part can leave the survey at any time. They can also choose not to answer a question without having to give a reason. 

In 2021-22, 105,181 crimes were reported to Devon and Cornwall Police. Of those, 26,217 were identified as in need of support and directed to the force’s Victim Care Unit, which is funded by the Commissioner.  

She also has in place a 10-year contract with Victim Support to deliver specialist services to anyone affected by crime, a charity which can be contacted 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week, regardless of whether a crime has been reported. 

Commissioner Hernandez said: “No-one should suffer the consequences of crime without getting the help they need to cope and recover when they need it. 

“Supporting victims is one of my key responsibilities and I am committed to ensuring that everyone who is affected by crime can access high-quality services and is made to feel supported by police. 

“Experiencing crime is different for each person, and can range from mildly annoying to deeply traumatic, so it’s important that police treat everyone with dignity and respect. 

“This independent survey will provide a valuable insight into how the residents of Devon and Cornwall feel about how they have been directed to services and will highlight where improvements can be made, so I encourage anyone who is eligible and feels able to take part to take a few minutes to help future victims of crime get the best possible support.” 

The survey runs until the end of September 2023 and you can take part at: https://forms.office.com/e/ce5Usd8WMS .

 If you have any questions about the survey, email: [email protected]. 

For anyone who has been affected by crime but hasn’t reported to police, you can access specialist services via 24-hour webchat, as well as information, guidance and resources at: victimcare-dc.org .

You can also call Victim Support’s 24-hour Supportline on 0808 1689111.