£8m help for families of murder victims

FAMILIES of murder victims will be the first to benefit from an £8 million service to help those affected by crime.

By The Newsroom

Published 27th Jan 2010, 21:57 BST

Updated 27th Jan 2010, 23:53 BST

Justice Secretary Jack Straw yesterday announced the launch of the National Victims' Service from March.

Services will be extended to victims of other crimes, including antisocial behaviour, from April. Victims will be offered a "health check" to determine what they need. The most vulnerable will be eligible for intensive support from counsellors and practical help to rebuild their lives.

Sara Payne, mother of the murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne and the government's "victims' champion", recommended the creation of the service in a report last year.