TWO town services which support crime victims and witnesses have joined a new county forum to improve services provided by agencies involved in the criminal justice system.

Redditch Victim and Witness Support schemes, which are both based at The Court House, Grove Street, are inviting victims who are keen for issues to be brought to the forum to come forward.

The forum is made up of representatives from 10 agencies, including the Crown and Magistrates Court Services, Crown Prosecution Service, West Mercia Police, Prison Service, Probation Services, racial equality councils and youth offending teams.

It has been set up to address issues relating to crime victims' and witnesses' needs in criminal proceedings, to develop a greater public understanding of each of their roles and to promote the services they provide.

Redditch Victim Support co-ordinator Marion Chambers said Sally James, co-ordinator of Redditch Witness Support, was a forum representative.

She also said: "Both organisations would be pleased to hear from victims within the community who would like points taken forward to the forum. It exists for them to have a voice.

"In modern times, the state has rightly taken over from victims the duty of prosecuting offenders and dealing with them if convicted.

"Victim Support believes victims should therefore have a right to certain standards of treatment - not merely out of concern for their welfare but because it is in the interests of society as a whole."

Redditch Victim and Witness Support are also featured on the West Mercia Constabulary website at www.westmercia.police.uk

For more details, call Victim Support on 66462 or Witness Support on 592438.