MEMBERS of St Helens East Victim Support Scheme welcomed Mrs Jean Wotherspoon as guest speaker at their annual general meeting at Earlestown Town Hall.

Mrs Wotherspoon, who last visited when she was High Sheriff of Merseyside, has a wide knowledge of the criminal justice system. As the chairwoman of St Helens Magistrates, she has been active in helping to prepare an agreement on the standards of care provided for witnesses who attend court.

Co-ordinator of the scheme, Mrs Anne Slater believes that in the past, needs of victims of crime have been overlooked by the courts. "It is encouraging that the judiciary, police and court officials are becoming more aware of the stress that witnesses experience attending court. The impact of the court case can sometimes leave victims of crime and their families with memories which are almost as bad as the crime."

Witness Services have been set up in Crown Courts, and many victim support schemes have trained volunteers who will accompany victims of crime to a local magistrates court.

Most of the work in supporting victims of crime is done by volunteers who are drawn from the local community. Chairperson Mrs Marjorie Conroy thanked the committee members and the volunteer visitors for their work during the past year and she invited outgoing Mayor of St Helens, Councillor Alex Worth, to present certificates to volunteers who have completed 100 hours of service.

Mrs Gwen Lightfoot, deputy co-ordinator of the scheme said that the certificates are a way of acknowledging and recognising the valuable contribution made by voluntary workers. "Without their help, the service we provide to victims of crime - almost 2,000 during 1996 - who live in Blackbrook, Moss Bank, Haydock/Garswood, Newton-le-Willows and part of Parr would have to be much reduced," she said.

Inspector Alf Bean from Newton Police Station acknowledged the appreciation of the police for the work done by victim support. Although police officers do not always have as much time as they would like to give to the needs of victims, one enjoyable event which took place in December was when the local police, and members of the scheme joined forces to give a Christmas party for elderly victims of crime.

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