A plea for more resources for victims of crime in Manchester
13/04/2005
Thank you very much for all you did for us. Our lives are so much better through your help.
Barry, DoncasterThe national charity, the Victims of Crime Trust starts a nationwide tour today to petition for more resources for crime victims.
Taking in every major city in Britain, the tour is in support of a telephone petition launched in March designed to highlight just how badly the Criminal Justice System is failing victims, as well as to provide practical support for them by raising three million pounds.
The tour will stop in Manchester tomorrow where the Founder and Director of the Trust, Norman Brennan will be visiting Alexander Harris, who represents over 190 families of the victims of Harold Shipman. Alexander Harris has a working relationship with the Trust and offered a venue for their Manchester tour stop.
Alexander Harris represents victims of crime who have been severely injured. We are currently handling cases involving for example, hit and run road traffic accidents, unprovoked criminal attacks, assault in the military, a hospital worker attacked by a patient and injuries caused to a child by a parent.
A press conference will be held at Alexander Harris' offices at 10am on Thursday 14th April 2005 at Ashley Road in Altrincham where Norman will discuss the Trusts plans to raise money to provide a national resource centre and respite housing for victims of crime.
'This Government is masking the alarming truth about crime in this country,' said Norman Brennan, Founder Director of the Victims of Crime Trust. 'Homicide has reached an average of 1,000 per year over the past five years. In the same period, recorded incidents of violence against the person are up 90% from 502,788 to 955,752. An average of 423 firearms offences are committed each week in England and Wales; and there were 11,700 rapes recorded by the police last year - although Home Office research indicates the true figure could be as high as 47,000. Surely, this begs the question, how bad does it have to get before the Government finally acts?'
The question being put to the country is: "Does the criminal justice system fail victims and society?" People who believe it does are being asked to phone the petition line 09067 800 999 to register their support. Calls cost £1 of which 74p goes directly to the Trust.
'The money we raise will help set up a national resource centre for crime victims,' said Norman Brennan. 'The resource centre will provide practical help, such as flats that families can use when attending trials in London, as well as rehabilitation, research and campaigning facilities'.
The Trust is supported by a large number of families of homicide victims who they will meet during their tour, including Denise Fergus, mother of James Bulger (Liverpool), Victor Bates who's wife Marion was shot dead (Nottingham), Jayne and Paul Walmsley, parents of murdered 14 year old schoolboy Luke (Lincoln), and June Richardson, mother of Martin Brown, murdered by Mary Bell (Newcastle).
NOTES:
Local Victim Support Group's, an MP, families of the victims of Harold Shipman have been invited to the press conference at 10am on Thursday 14th April 2005 at Alexander Harris solicitors, Ashley House, Ashley Road, Altrincham WA14 2DW.
The Victims of Crime Trust
The Victims of Crime Trust is a UK charitable organisation dedicated to supporting any individuals bereaved through murder and manslaughter by ensuring they receive appropriate personal help at their time of need. It also represents their collective interests to Government and other bodies.
Norman Brennan - Founder and Director of the Trust
Norman is a serving police officer in London for the past 25 years, during which he received eight commendations. He has had first hand experience of the impact of crime on victims, their families and society as a whole. Over the past ten years, he has taken part in thousands of interviews across all spectrums of the national media giving a voice to victims of crime.
At present, Norman is on a year's sabbatical from the police service to dedicate his full attention to the Trust. He has personally been involved in the following cases:
Ann and Alan West, whose daughter Lesley-Anne Downey was murdered by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley. Denise Fergus, who's son James Bulger was murdered by Robert Thompson and Jon Venables. Barbara Cressman, who's son Tom was murdered by ex-royal aide Jane Andrews along with many other less high profile cases.
Schedule of Tour visits:
The Victims of Crime Trust's first stop will be in Manchester 14th April 2005, where they will meet the solicitors who represent the families of the victims of Harold Shipman and the step-father of Lesley-Anne Downey murdered by Mira Hindley and Ian Brady.
The second port of call will be Liverpool on Friday, 15th April 2005 where they will meet Denise Fergus mother of James Bulger and other families affected by homicide.
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