FOUR projects aimed at supporting victims of crime in the Cleveland Police area have secured Home Office funding of almost £240,000.

The force's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Barry Coppinger, announced that Victim's Minister, Damian Green, has allocated money to the projects which centre on:

* Issuing officers with body cameras

* Reducing intimidation

* Supporting young crime victims

* Tackling issues of honour-based violence and forced marriages

Mr Coppinger said: "The bidding process started on April 7 when PCCs were invited to demonstrate the need for additional funding to support victims of serious crime, those who are persistently targeted, or to aid vulnerable or intimidated victims to help them recover.

"I am delighted we have been granted almost £237,000 from the Home Office for four projects, the full amount requested from the Competed Fund to be used to support victims of crime."

The project to buy body cameras for officers attracted £107,700. The cameras will be used to gather effective evidence while removing pressure on victims - avoiding the need, in some instances, for court testimony.

Video-links to court buildings from neutral locations and the introduction of pre-trial therapy for victims of serious crime were also put forward in this project.

A scheme to increase the safety of victims of domestic violence and reduce intimidation secured £63,000. The introduction of a ‘one-touch’ emergency contact phone will ensure repeat victims can easily call for help, securing crucial evidence.

Mr Coppinger, who has been PCC since the role was created in 2012, said this would be followed up by joint visits by Independent Domestic Violence Advisor support workers and neighbourhood police officers to provide reassurance and practical help.

“We’ve had £29,000 awarded to ‘supporting young victims’ with schools being notified immediately where a pupil has experienced the trauma of domestic violence or abuse," he explained.

“And £37,000 was awarded to ‘Build Confidence and Awareness’ to tackle the issues of Honour Based Violence and Forced Marriage which are significantly under-reported.

We will be offering a programme of confidence building and awareness-raising targeted at BME (black and minority ethnic) victims which will be led by the BME community, and offering other support material to help victims cope and recover.”

“I believe that the projects applied for will offer help where it is most needed and I take great delight that they gained the full support of the Home Office who have decided all of the projects put forward in the bidding process merited funding.”