SENIOR police officers are visiting victims to ensure they do not lose touch with the reality of fighting crime.

Chief Constable Paul Stephenson has revealed that even he takes part in the scheme, which was today praised as an example of good practice by Victim Support.

Each week senior officers from superintendent rank and above visit two victims and spend about an hour with them.

As well as being reminded about the impact crime can have, the senior officers are also able to judge whether police procedures to help victims are working.

Mr Stephenson, who introduced the scheme, said: "It gives us a chance to see how good or bad we are doing the job. That is a really nice thing because on the majority of occasions we find victims are so appreciative of highly-skilled police staff delivering good service. It means we can write letters to our staff and commend them."

He spoke of the last visit he made a couple of months ago: "I visited two mature ladies from Blackburn, both the victims of robbery.

"One was more frail than the other - it was clearly going to damage her life and take away her confidence to actually go out. If you are not moved by that there is something wrong with you.

"The other was more robust, but both were full of praise for what the police officers had done."

Julie Young, chief executive of Lancashire Victim Support, added: "I think it is a good idea and an example of good practice.

"I am delighted he has set up that initiative because I think it pays for anybody who works in the criminal justice system to keep an eye on what is happening for victims.

"Senior police officers can get bogged down. This will help let them know what victims are thinking and feeling. It makes it more real and more personal.

"I think it also has an impact for victims because the message is that you are valued. It demonstrates that they genuinely want to find out and victims will benefit from that."