Counselling leads to hundreds more crime reports

Kent's Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott

Support and counselling offered to victims of crime led to nearly 900 extra offences being reported, Kent's police and crime commissioner has said.

Matthew Scott said projects supported by his office helped a total of 102,000 crime victims in 2023.

They included 4,400 victims of domestic abuse and 3,000 victims of sexual violence.

Mr Scott said: "Securing funding is always a challenge, but I can assure you my team and I will continue to help victims as much as we can.”

The counselling is provided by independent charities.

The commissioner's office is responsible for sourcing funding for the work.

He said: “It’s always overwhelming when you hear the numbers of people being helped by the charities my team commissions.

"From elderly people being abused in their own homes, to young children traumatised by violence or family aggression.

"We help victims of burglary, hate crime and stalking and offer intervention programmes to reduce repeat behaviour in perpetrators."