We Are Here To Help & Support You
If you have been the victim of a crime and you require support then we are there to help. We can be contacted by phone, email or by making a referral using this website.
Contact Us
You can contact us by phone, email or complete the form below
Making A Complaint
If you wish to make a complaint about the service provided by VCAS or a member of the team it is important to fully understand the nature of your complaint in order that we can resolve it for you, learn from mistakes and improve our practices. Please provide us with the following information:
- What were the circumstances?
- Who was involved?
- When did this occur?
- How have you been affected?
- What outcome would you like to see?
Please put your complaint in writing to:
Chief Executive
Durham Police and Crime Commissioner' Office
Police Headquarters
Aykley Heads
Durham
DH1 5TT
Help With Reporting
Do you tell the police everything we discuss?
We promise that all information you provide to us ‐ verbally or in writing ‐ will be kept confidential within the Victim Care and Advice Service. This information will not be shared externally unless you expressly instruct us to do so or unless we are required to under law.
We will take our time to establish the best way to communicate with you; for example, which email address, phone number or other contact method you want us to use. We will take any other steps that you need us to take to protect your privacy
Help With Reporting
I don’t want to report this to police, can I still get support?
Yes, you can still receive our support
Victim Support
I work Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Can I be offered support outside of these hours?
We can make arrangements to support you at a time that is convenient to you.
General
If I have been a victim of crime do I have to report that crime to the police?
You are not legally bound to report your crime to the police however, investigating crimes, catching criminals and protecting the community is the police’s main job, but they also help victims and witnesses of crime.
Even if you do not report a crime as the victim, someone who saw what happened might do, so it’s likely that you will have to talk to police after a crime.
General
Is there a cost to the service?
There is no cost, the service is free and confidential