Warwickshire Victims Needs Assessment

Task 

There was a 14% increase in total crime between 2019 and 2021, driven by a 47% increase in fraud and computer misuse. Latest estimates reveal that around 2 in 10 adults were a victim of crime in the year ending September 2021, with this most commonly being fraud (8.9%), computer misuse (3.6%), criminal damage (2.9%), and vehicle-related theft (2.9%). However, a smaller but significant percentage experience more inter-personal crimes such as violence (2.0%), burglary (1.7%), and theft or robbery from the person (0.6%). A distinct link has also been established between substance use and criminal activity, with 40% of violent crimes believed to be alcohol related and 45% of acquisitive crime related to opioid or crack cocaine use. 

Specifically in Warwickshire, in 2020-21, police recorded 36,635 crimes, with a further 4,006 fraud offences, and 16,741 incidents of anti-social behaviour. 

It is well documented that the impact of crime on victims can be far reaching, including physical and emotional injury, long-term psychological and mental health effects, negatively influencing future trust, sense of fear, and feelings of safety, all of which can impact on various aspects of a victims’ life, consequently meaning crime is extremely costly to society. Accordingly, there has been a shift in the culture of the criminal justice system to recognise the importance of better engaging with, and supporting the needs of, victims. 

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for Warwickshire, fund a range of services to support victims and survivors of crime, as well as those using substances. The contracts for these services were due to conclude, so the OPCC commenced a new commissioning cycle to determine the best ways to support victims and survivors moving forward. As part of this, the OPCC commissioned TONIC to conduct a comprehensive Victim Needs Assessment (VNA), reviewing levels of need and current provision to ensure services are appropriately responsive and equitably meeting need throughout the county and across all victim groups, populations, and communities. There was a particular focus on: 

  • General Victim Recovery Services 

  • Vulnerability-related specialist support services for victims of:  

  • Sexual Abuse and Violence  

  • Child Exploitation  

  • Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking  

  • Criminal Justice related Drug and Alcohol Abuse Services (for both adults and children) 

For each element, the needs of victims and survivors in relation to any relevant protected characteristics (such as age, gender, ethnicity, and disability) were considered.  

TONIC’s Approach 

To undertake this VNA, TONIC engaged over 400 local victims and professionals via the following: 

  • Literature review of existing research, surveying, and synthesising both national and international literature, to provide insight into the current understanding and knowledge.  

  • Quantitative data analysis covering national trends in crime, local police recorded crimes, witness care data including court cases, and referrals and access to commissioned services. 

  • Surveys reaching 327 people, including 121 victims and service users, 14 respondents on behalf of someone with lived experience, 84 frontline practitioners and service providers, and 80 key stakeholders. 

  • In-depth interviews and focus groups with 94 people, including 17 victims and service users, 35 frontline practitioners and service providers, and 42 key stakeholders. 

Outcome 

TONIC produced a detailed report outlining overarching themes, considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing to light serious issues with data reporting, recording, and sharing, highlighting barriers and challenges to access and engagement, and exploring ways to promote inclusivity. In addition, TONIC evaluated existing commissioned services in depth, providing service-specific feedback, highlighting their strengths and opportunities to expand provision and reach the growing demand, as well as exploring options for better supporting victims of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking in Warwickshire in the future. TONIC used all of the findings to inform system-wide and service-specific recommendations which were discussed during a co-design workshop with relevant OPCC leads and then presented along with skeleton service specifications to the wider OPCC.