A new Victim’s Charter was launched today to ensure better service and support for Gwent victims.

The charter, launched by Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner Ian Johnston, is in response to his priority as PCC to not only reduce the number of victims of crime and anti-social behaviour in Gwent, but to ensure those who do become victims are given the best standard of service and support possible.

Mr Johnston’s Victim's Charter outlines ten minimum standards victims can expect when they are involved in the Criminal Justice process in Gwent. It includes personal sureties from the PCC that victims will receive police response in an appropriate amount of time, that they will be asked relevant questions and provided with the right service depending on the individual circumstances.

The launch is being held at the Greenmeadow golf club in Cwmbran. Mr Johnston will be joined by Baroness Helen Newlove, Victim's Commissioner for England and Wales, Gwent Police Assistant Chief Constable, Lorraine Bottomley and Mandy Wilmot, Victim Support Divisional Manager.

Various speakers will discuss the role of PCCs in improving care and support for victims and witnesses as well as the delivery of care and partnership with other services such as Victim Support.

Mr Johnston said: "I am delighted to be joined by people who invest so much time and energy into making the experience for victims and witnesses of crime better.

“Whilst we are doing everything we can to make sure that there are less victims of crime in Gwent, it is also important that we continually seek to improve services, and provide the best and most relevant support to those victims and witnesses who do come into contact with us. That is what the Charter is all about.”

The Charter is available to the public on the Commissioner’s website at www.gwent.pcc.police.uk/victims

Earlier this year the Argus reported that four people had died during or following contact with Gwent police in 2012/13, according to an Independent Police Complaints Commission report.