North Wales PCC Urges Victims to Seek Release Support 2026

Key Points

• North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin has told victims of crime that help is available before the UK Government’s early-release program commences.
• The program is set to begin on 1 October 2026 and will lead to the early release of certain prisoners.
• Mr Dunbobbin visited the North Wales Victim Help Centre situated at the headquarters of North Wales Police in St Asaph.
• The center is commissioned by the PCC’s office and is run by the independent charity, Victim Support.
• Trained personnel are able to offer emotional, practical and personal assistance, though they are unable to reveal any information about prisoners or their release dates.
• Victims residing in rural or isolated areas are also eligible for assistance.
• A Ministry of Justice hotline is set to go live within the next few weeks.
• North Wales Victim Help Centre can be reached on 0300 30 30 159.

St Asaph (Wales Times) September 14, 2026 – North Wales PCC victim support remains available to people affected by crime as the UK Government prepares to begin an early-release scheme on 1 October 2026. North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin issued the reminder during a visit to the North Wales Victim Help Centre in St Asaph.

The early-release scheme will mean that some prisoners leave custody earlier than originally anticipated. The development has caused concern among some victims, particularly those who may be worried about their personal safety, wellbeing or the possibility of contact with offenders.

Mr Dunbobbin said victims should not feel they had to deal with those concerns alone. He also acknowledged the wider pressures facing the prison system and said decisions about the early-release scheme were the responsibility of the UK Government.

Why has the North Wales PCC issued the reminder?

The reminder was issued ahead of the planned start of the early-release scheme. The PCC visited the North Wales Victim Help Centre’s base at North Wales Police’s divisional headquarters in St Asaph to discuss the services available to victims with Linda Parry, North Wales operations manager for Victim Support.

According to Wrexham.com, the centre provides free and confidential assistance to victims of crime throughout North Wales. Its services are designed to help people manage the emotional, practical and personal consequences of crime.

The centre can also provide advice and reassurance to people who are uncertain about the effect of the early-release arrangements. However, staff cannot provide information about individual prisoners or confirm specific release dates.

That limitation means victims seeking details about a particular offender may need to use official criminal justice channels. The centre’s role is instead to offer support, discuss concerns and connect victims with suitable specialist services.

What did Andy Dunbobbin say about early prisoner releases?

Mr Dunbobbin said the prison system was “suffering under the weight of many years of funding cuts and lack of investment”. He said this meant difficult decisions about early release might have to be made.

He also stressed that decisions linked to the scheme were “a matter for the UK Government”. His comments placed responsibility for the policy with the Government while focusing on the support available to victims in North Wales.

The PCC said supporting victims continued to be one of his highest priorities. He added that staff at the Victim Help Centre could help people understand the available support, raise concerns about safety and wellbeing, and connect with specialist organisations when necessary.

The comments were made before the scheme’s scheduled introduction on 1 October 2026. The timing of the warning is intended to ensure victims know where to seek assistance before the first releases under the arrangements begin.

What support does the Victim Help Centre provide?

The North Wales Victim Help Centre is commissioned by the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and delivered by Victim Support, an independent charity.

The centre’s trained staff can help victims with several areas, including:

• Emotional support after a crime.
• Practical advice about managing the consequences of an offence.
• Information about personal safety and wellbeing.
• Advocacy and assistance when dealing with relevant agencies.
• Referrals to specialist organisations.
• Links with criminal justice partners and other services.

Support can be tailored to the circumstances of each victim. The centre works with partner organisations including probation services, specialist support providers and housing organisations.

This partnership approach is intended to ensure that victims receive assistance suited to their individual needs. A person concerned about housing, personal safety or emotional distress may require different help from someone seeking information about the criminal justice process.

People who have used the service previously are also being encouraged to make contact again if they believe further assistance would be useful.

Why may victims feel anxious about the scheme?

Linda Parry said Victim Support staff understood that the effects of crime could influence many parts of a person’s life. She said trained staff were available to provide specialist support, information and advocacy.

Ms Parry also said many victims might currently be feeling anxious and uncertain about prisoner releases. Such concerns could relate to personal safety, emotional wellbeing or uncertainty about what the changes may mean for them.

Although the centre cannot provide details about individual cases or release dates, Ms Parry said staff wanted to reassure victims that they could listen to their concerns and discuss personal safety.

The service is therefore available not only to people who require immediate practical assistance, but also to those who need reassurance or guidance about what support may be appropriate.

Is support available in rural parts of North Wales?

Victims in rural or isolated communities are also being reminded that support is available regardless of where they live.

The reminder is significant because distance can make it more difficult for people in less urban areas to access services in person. The information provided by Wrexham.com does not specify every method of support available in individual locations, but the Victim Help Centre can advise people about the services suitable for their circumstances.

Victims should contact the centre directly if they are unsure whether their location or situation falls within its support arrangements.

Can the centre provide prisoner release dates?

No. The North Wales Victim Help Centre cannot provide information about individual prisoners or specific release dates.

Its staff can, however, provide advice and reassurance, discuss concerns about safety and wellbeing, and establish whether a referral to another service may be appropriate.

Victims seeking case-specific information may need to contact the relevant criminal justice authority or use official notification arrangements. The centre can help explain what support is available, but it is not presented as a source of individual prisoner information.

Will the Ministry of Justice provide a helpline?

The Ministry of Justice is expected to establish a dedicated helpline in the coming weeks.

According to the information published by Wrexham.com, the helpline will provide emotional support and practical advice for people affected by, or concerned about, early prisoner releases.

At the time of the report, details such as the telephone number, operating hours and launch date had not been provided. People should therefore rely on official Ministry of Justice announcements for further information about the service.

Until the dedicated helpline is available, victims in North Wales with concerns about the scheme can contact the North Wales Victim Help Centre on 0300 30 30 159.

How can victims contact the North Wales Victim Help Centre?

People affected by crime who are concerned about the early-release scheme can contact the North Wales Victim Help Centre on 0300 30 30 159.

The service can provide support and information even when a person is uncertain about the type of help they need. Those who have previously received assistance are also being encouraged to get back in touch if their circumstances have changed or if they would benefit from further support.

The centre’s services are described as free and confidential. Victims in rural communities are included, and support is not restricted to people living close to the centre’s base in St Asaph.

What is the wider context behind the early-release scheme?

The early-release arrangements are being introduced as the prison system faces pressure over capacity and resources. Mr Dunbobbin attributed the situation to years of funding cuts and a lack of investment.

The PCC did not present the scheme as a decision made by his office. Instead, he said responsibility for decisions concerning early release rested with the UK Government.

The North Wales PCC’s intervention focuses on the effect of the policy on victims. His message is that support services should be contacted by people who feel anxious, uncertain or concerned about their wellbeing.

The available support does not alter the Government’s release decisions and cannot provide information about individual prisoners. It is intended to help victims understand their options and obtain assistance from relevant organisations.

Background: What is the North Wales Victim Help Centre?

The North Wales Victim Help Centre is a service commissioned by the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner’s office and delivered by Victim Support.

It supports victims across North Wales with the emotional, practical and personal impact of crime. Its trained staff can provide information, advocacy and links to partner agencies, including probation services, housing providers and specialist support organisations.

The centre is based at North Wales Police’s divisional headquarters in St Asaph, but its support is available to victims across the region, including those in rural and isolated communities.

The centre cannot disclose information about individual prisoners or release dates. Its function is to support victims, discuss concerns about safety and wellbeing, and direct people to specialist or criminal justice services where appropriate.

The information was reported by Wrexham.com in its article, “North Wales PCC highlights victim support before prisoner releases begin”. The report did not identify an individual author.

Prediction: How could the development affect North Wales crime victims?

The reminder is likely to increase awareness of the North Wales Victim Help Centre among victims who are worried about early prisoner releases. Some people who had not previously sought assistance may contact the centre for reassurance, safety guidance or referrals.

Demand for support could rise as 1 October approaches and further information about the release arrangements becomes available. The effect on individual victims will vary according to their circumstances, including whether they are connected to a particular case and what support they already receive.

The planned Ministry of Justice helpline could provide an additional route for people seeking advice across England and Wales. Until its details are announced, North Wales victims with concerns can contact the Victim Help Centre on 0300 30 30 159.