A CHARITY that supports victims of crime is on the look out for new volunteers to help them play a key role in the Street Crime Initiative Safer Streets in Lancashire.

Victim Support Lancashire are working alongside the police and other criminal justice agencies to offer support, advice and information to anyone who is the victim of a street crime through its network of local offices.

Anyone who is called to give evidence as a witness in a trial following a street crime can also obtain support from the charity's Witness Service.

People receiving help from victim support can benefit from help with compensation or insurance issues, advice about crime prevention and personal safety, information about police and court procedures and liaison with a whole range of other agencies if necessary.

The charity is now appealing for more people to come forward and offer their services as volunteers.

Area manager Julie Young said: "We greatly value the work undertaken by our volunteers as we could not deliver our service without them.

"There are increasing demands on our resources but we want to help people get on with their lives and recover from the effects of crime."

The charity also needs volunteers willing to help with fundraising, as it relies on donations and grants to cover 30 per cent of its costs.

Anybody interested in becoming a volunteer can contact their local branch manager Gordon Coyles on 01282 455955.