Key Points
- The Victim Help Centre North Wales has launched free and confidential services for victims affected by the UK Government’s early release scheme.
- Andrew Dunbobbin, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner advised the victims to know that they are not required to address issues about the scheme alone.
- The service provided by the centre, run by Victim Support, will assist victims, their relatives, and other people affected by crime irrespective of whether crime is reported to the police or not.
- Help can be accessed through telephone number 0300 303 0159 where lines are open from 8 am to 8 pm from Monday to Friday and from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturdays.
- Victim Support’s free Supportline will be available on 0808 16 89 111, throughout the day, 7 days in a week during outside of office hours.
- UK Government’s widened early release scheme started on 1 October with some prisoners getting early release than expected before.
- Dunbobbin stated that pressures in the prison system “may lead to tough decisions on early release” to be taken whereas early release decision remains with the UK Government.
Wales Crime (Wales Times) September 30, 2026 – Victims of crime in North Wales are being reminded that free and confidential support is available through the North Wales Victim Help Centre as the UK Government’s early release scheme begins.
As reported by the Cambrian News, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said victims should know they “do not have to face these concerns alone” as the scheme comes into effect. The reminder was issued through the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, which commissions the Victim Help Centre, a service based in St Asaph that supports victims across the region.
The development comes as the UK Government’s expanded early release scheme starts, with some prisoners due to be released earlier than originally expected. As reported by The Leader, Mr Dunbobbin had previously urged victims affected by the scheme to seek support ahead of its start on 1 October, noting that the releases “may cause distress”. National coverage by The Independent reported that hundreds of prisoners were expected to walk free in the first wave of the scheme.
What support can victims receive?
The North Wales Victim Help Centre provides independent support to anyone affected by crime, including victims, their friends, family members and other people involved. According to Victim Support, the service is available regardless of whether the person has contacted the police and no matter how long ago the offence took place.
The centre describes itself as offering free, confidential information and support. Its staff can help people understand what has happened to them, explain the choices available and assist them in regaining control of their lives. The service also says it can help with wider practical issues, including arranging medical appointments, housing advocacy and dealing with the criminal justice system before or after court.
Mr Dunbobbin said: “We know that our prison system is suffering under the weight of many years of funding cuts and lack of investment, meaning tough decisions on early release may have to be made. While decisions relating to the early release scheme are a matter for the UK Government, it is vital that victims know they do not have to face these concerns alone.”
How can victims contact the centre?
Victims and people affected by crime in North Wales can contact the Victim Help Centre on 0300 303 0159. Victim Support says telephone lines are open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and from 9am to 5pm on Saturdays.
For support outside those hours, people can call Victim Support’s free Supportline on 0808 16 89 111. The organisation says the Supportline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Victim Support also offers a free live chat service, available around the clock, and allows people to request support through its website. It says a member of the team will respond to website requests within three working days.
The centre additionally provides access to My Support Space, a free online resource containing interactive guides designed to help people manage the impact crime has had on them. Users can create an account and work through the material at their own pace.
Why has the centre issued this reminder?
The reminder follows the beginning of the UK Government’s expanded early release scheme, which is intended to address pressures on prison capacity in England and Wales. As reported by Ground News, hundreds of prisoners were due to be released in the first wave of the scheme, with around 5,000 prisoners scheduled for release in stages over the following year.
According to Ground News, ministers intervened to exempt rapists and the most serious child sex offenders from the scheme, reducing the number expected to be released from 6,000 to 5,000. The report said the expanded scheme was aimed at easing prison overcrowding in England and Wales.
The North Wales Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner states that providing support to victims of crime is a key priority for Mr Dunbobbin. It identifies the Victim Help Centre as one of the vital services commissioned by his office.
The centre is described by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner as a “one-stop-shop” for victims across North Wales and is based at divisional police headquarters in St Asaph. It is funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner and delivered by Victim Support.
What has the Police and Crime Commissioner said?
Mr Dunbobbin’s comments focused on reassuring victims that assistance remains available during a period that may cause concern. He acknowledged pressures facing the prison system and said that difficult decisions relating to early release may be necessary.
He also made clear that decisions about the early release scheme are a matter for the UK Government, rather than the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner’s office. His message was that victims should be aware of the help available to them as those decisions take effect.
The Police and Crime Commissioner’s office has previously described the Victim Help Centre as providing free, confidential and independent support to anyone affected by crime across North Wales, whether or not they have reported the offence.
Who can use the service?
The Victim Help Centre is available to people affected by all types of crime. Victim Support says this includes people affected by historic offences, as well as young victims under the age of 18.
The organisation states that its victim help team and outreach staff are trained to provide free and confidential information and support. It says they can help people make sense of their experience, understand the choices open to them and begin to move forward.
The service is not limited to the direct victim of an offence. Victim Support says friends, family members and any other people involved can also contact the centre for assistance.
Background of the development
The North Wales Victim Help Centre is a commissioned victim-support service based in St Asaph, Denbighshire. The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales says it funds the centre, which operates as a single point of contact for victims across the region.
Victim Support, the charity that delivers the service, says it provides help to people affected by crime whether or not they have reported it to police. It also says support is available regardless of how long ago the crime happened.
The current reminder is connected to the UK Government’s expanded early release scheme, which began on 1 October. Reporting by The Leader said the scheme would see some prisoners released earlier than originally anticipated and could cause distress to victims.
National reporting said the first wave involved hundreds of prisoners, with further releases planned in stages over the following year. The North Wales Victim Help Centre’s message is intended to ensure victims know how to seek emotional and practical assistance during that period.
Prediction: How can this affect victims in North Wales?
For victims in North Wales, the start of the early release scheme may increase anxiety about an offender’s release, particularly where the offence was serious or recent. The availability of the Victim Help Centre gives affected people a direct route to confidential advice, emotional support and practical help with issues such as housing, medical appointments and navigating the criminal justice system.
Victims who have not previously reported a crime may also be more likely to seek help because the centre accepts contacts independently of police involvement. This could make the service especially important for people who are hesitant to speak to officers but still need guidance or reassurance.
Families and other people affected by an offence can use the same service, which may help households manage concerns collectively rather than leaving individuals to cope alone. The 24-hour Supportline and live chat options provide an additional route for people who need assistance outside normal office hours.
