London mayor and Met police launch new victim voice survey

A NEW anonymous survey was launched on Tuesday (28) that will help improve the service that crime victims receive from the police.

The survey, which has been set up by London’s Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and the Met, will capture the views and experiences of victims of crimes in London and use them to improve the level of support and care all victims of crime in the capital receive.

The action is part of the work by the mayor and the Met to rebuild trust and confidence in policing in the capital. Anyone who has been a victim of crime in London is encouraged to complete the voluntary survey anonymously.

The online survey takes less than 15 minutes to complete and can be completed at any time using a smart phone, tablet or computer using the link www.london.gov.uk/victimvoice.

Findings from the surveys will be regularly analysed by MOPAC to measure the quality of service being provided and to deliver positive improvements to the victims of crime.

This new initiative forms part of the mayor’s new Violence Against Women & Girls strategy, which is focused on rebuilding public trust and confidence in the police and criminal justice system and working to empower victims to get the justice they deserve.

London is one of the most diverse cities in the world and this new survey is designed to reach victims from all backgrounds, with translations in different languages available to gain a better understanding of how everyone feels about their experiences of being treated by the police as a victim of crime.

This work is part of the commitment from the mayor and the Met to ensuring that the experiences of all victims of crime are captured accurately and honestly to help improve victim services and make sure that any concerns or shortcomings are acted upon.

The Mayor and the Met are calling on all victims of serious crime in London to complete the anonymous survey to help deliver vital improvements in the support provided to victims of domestic abuse, hate crime, sexual violence, robbery, burglary, and any other form of violent crime.

London mayor Sadiq Khan said, “Rebuilding trust and confidence in the Met Police is a top priority for me as Mayor. The launch of this survey is an important step as it will provide an honest insight into the way victims feel about the support the police provide.

“Being a victim of a serious crime, whether it’s sexual assault, knife crime or a violent robbery, can leave long-lasting physical, mental and emotional scars. We need to ensure victims have the best support possible. That’s why it’s vital we hear from Londoners about their experiences in this new anonymous survey so that we can improve the support given by the police to all victims of crime.”

Barbara Gray, deputy assistant commissioner, Metropolitan Police Service said, “It is so important for a victim of crime to have their own voice heard and for us as the police to consider those experiences. We are committed to improving the experiences of victims, working with other agencies to ensure the most appropriate support and service.”

London’s victim commissioner Claire Waxman said: “I welcome the launch of this new survey, which will enable us to hear directly from victims and ensure their lived experiences play a fundamental role in improving our justice system. I will be closely monitoring these responses to ensure victims in London are receiving their rights under the Victims’ Code and are able to access timely and effective support.”

Gurpreet Virdee, director of operations and development at Women and Girls Network, said, “We are pleased to see the launch of the Victims Voice Survey. As an organisation supporting survivors experiencing violence against women and girls, we are particularly aware of the challenges survivors face simultaneously having to navigate both the criminal justice process and access specialist services.

“This initiative not only allows survivors voices to be heard but also demonstrates the ongoing commitment of MOPAC to improve survivors experiences within the criminal justice processes. We are hopeful the findings from the survey will reshape services provision and responses to enable survivors to receive meaningful and effective support they need and deserve.”