Victim Support is the main provider of support services to all victims of crime in West Yorkshire, funded by the PCC.

They provide support for all victims of crime, whether or not they choose to report the crime to the Police.

For many types of crime such as burglary and violence, the Police will automatically refer people to Victim Support.

Contact can be online, by telephone, text, email or letter depending on what your preference is. When you first get in touch with Victim Support, they will talk to you about your particular circumstances, the kind of support you feel you need, and your preferred method of ongoing communication if any. You can have a face to face visit if appropriate.

Victim Support works closely with the more specialist support services described elsewhere, referring victims on when appropriate.

Lesley McLean, Operations Manager of Victim Support, said: "Initial contact is made from our Victim Assessment Referral Centre, usually by phone or letter. A Victim Care Officer will speak to victims to assess needs and risks, whilst discussing support options available. If requested, support is then provided by our local community teams based in hubs in Leeds, Wakefield, Kirklees, Bradford and Calderdale.

"The hubs have appointments and drop in facilities. In addition, each local community team have a group of volunteers who provide face to face support for as long as the victim needs this.

"This support can be provided in the victim's home where appropriate. Victim Support West Yorkshire also has a live chat facility, where victims can contact us on-line. This facility can be accessed through the Victim Support website, on the West Yorkshire 'Support near you' page."