Victims Service to help relatives cope

Relatives of murder and manslaughter victims will receive support from the country's first National Victims Service, Justice Secretary Jack Straw was announcing today.

Mr Straw was set to tell Labour's conference in Brighton that the service will eventually be extended to all victims of crime in England and Wales. The move follows January's appointment of Sara Payne, mother of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne, as Victims Champion. Her role will be replaced by a statutory Victims Commissioner.

The service will be introduced this financial year, funded with £2million of government cash rising to £8.5million next year, for the voluntary Victim Support, which will run the scheme.

It will offer tailored support to help bereaved relatives cope with the trauma of losing a loved one to crime.

Support workers will provide emotional and financial support; liaise with criminal justice agencies; help families access legal services, financial advice and counselling; update them on cases; and provide support after sentencing.

Mr Straw was due to say: "We want to underline to... the criminal justice system that victims must come first."