SUBSTANTIAL programmes of work which deliver a victim centred approach are bearing fruit in Gwent according to the police and crime commissioner. PCC Ian Johnston made his comments as he revealed the latest figures for Gwent showed a significant improvement in satisfaction amongst victims of crime in the region.

The commissioner revealed figures for the 12 months ending on June 2015 showed a 3.1 per cent increase in the 'overall satisfaction' of crime victims in the service they receive in comparison with the previous year (from 78 per cent to 81.2 per cent). Gwent Police's own internal figures also show that public confidence in the force has increased by four per cent in the last year.

The satisfaction of victims of crime has previously been highlighted as an area of improvement by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC). The latest figures announced by the Commissioner today reveal there is currently a positive upward trend in victim satisfaction across Gwent, especially around victims being kept informed and the treatment they receive from the police.

Mr Johnston said: "I have been very clear from the outset that we must put victims at the heart of everything we do. It's been a long road and a huge amount of work has been undertaken by my team and the force in relation to improving victim satisfaction and public confidence."