Run by the Victim Support charity, the Live Chat is available on the Victim Care website where further help and support can be found (victimcaredevonandcornwall.org.uk).
Victims of crime in Devon and Cornwall can chat to someone online who can offer emotional and practical support and advice. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the service is anonymous, confidential and free to use. The channel can also be accessed via Victim Support’s website – victimsupport.org.uk/help-and-support/get-help/support-near-you/live-chat
Other channels are also available. Victim Support can offer telephone support on 0808 1689 111 and the Victim Care Unit can be contacted on 01392 475900.
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Alison Hernandez, is responsible for delivering victim care in the area and works closely with the Victim Care Network to ensure that help is on hand to those who need it.
She said: “During these challenging times, we must be prepared for a possible rise in crimes such as domestic abuse, that might go hand in hand with a period of isolation, and other crimes such as fraud, hate crime and child sexual exploitation.
Therefore it is vital that victims of crime know where they can access the support they need. This web chat facility is a valuable addition to the other channels already available.”
In a non-emergency, crime can be reported 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 101 webchat or on the online crime reporting form - both on the force website – devon-cornwall.police.uk. There is also the Force’s AskNed system that provides online advice on a range of issues and by signing up to Neighbourhood Alert regular updates and information can be received from the OPCC. This can be done via devonandcornwall-pcc.gov.uk.
Crime can also be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via its website – crimestoppers-uk.org
The situation continues to change rapidly so for up to date advice on the Covid-19 virus visit the Force website – devon-cornwall.police.uk and gov.uk