Vincent Cable's London Eye Trip with Victim Support

3.51.18pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 21st Apr 2005

Vincent Cable joined Victim Support groups from across London in an early morning trip around the London Eye on Monday to publicise the issue and to support Victim Support networks.

Victim Support (as opposed to the Twickenham based campaigning group, Victims of Crime Trust) provides counselling and help to individual victims of crime, referred to them mainly by the police. But recent Government funding changes have put the service at risk.

Vincent Cable said that "victims of crime - especially serious crimes like rape, and other indecent assaults, or families of murder victims often need emotional and practical support for years after the event. My experience in Twickenham with several victims of serious crimes is that the Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme is abysmally inefficient and gives little help. And the Social Services department of the Council is too overstretched to give much practical assistance over a sustained period. The police, themselves, are helpful but can't maintain prolonged contact. That is why the volunteers are so crucial and need support."