POLICE will attempt to forge greater links with victims of violence by placing advisors in hospitals and GP surgeries as of next year.

Across the force during the last year, crime statistics were generally reduced, with the exception of violence against the person, which has risen by 14.5 per cent across the Wiltshire Police force.

As part of an initiative to provide greater support to victims, special advisors are to be trained to be on hand at Great Western Hospital and surgeries to create a new point of contact for the force and to help signpost victims toward relevant support.

The creation of a new Horizon Victim and Witness Care programme will launch in March of next year with a base in Devizes, along with two advisors being trained and placed in Swindon.

Angus Macpherson, police and crime commissioner for Swindon and Wiltshire, is funding the plans and said it is intended to give victims a buffer between the crime and first point of contact with police.

“Developments in the support for victims are leading to the creation in Devizes of Horizon Victim and Witness Care,” he said. “A victim or witness might not necessarily want to be involved with the police. This will be supported by police but we want victims to come forward to those organisations that offer them support when they need it, rather than have the police force as an entry point.

“In Swindon I am funding two pilot projects to have advisors working at Great Western Hospital and closely with local GPs so people can get domestic violence referrals available when they need it.

“People will often tell hospital staff what has happened to them and having an advisor there at the same time to pick up on that knowledge means that we can help to support women in their own time and when they are prepared to share.

“Both advisors will have access to emergency acommodation in Swindon if necessary.”

Insp Martyn Sweett, sector head for West Swindon, said: “We are currently focusing on violence against the person with statistics on the rise, and we have seen a 14.5 per cent increase in these incidents across the force in the year up until October 2014.”