DURHAM Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg pledged to improve support for victims of crime, as he was sworn in for his second term in office today (Monday, May 16).

Speaking at a ceremony at County Hall, in Durham, Mr Hogg said he wanted to make victims the central focus of his work over the next four years, intending to be known as Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner.

He said: “We want to define services that are tailored to the specific needs of each particular victim.

“We all need to listen to the voice of victims so that people who have suffered crimes can feel that the system is on their side.”

He added: “One part of this is to ensure we commission advocacy services so the victims voices are heard clearly and taken into account in sentencing that we see at court when someone is found guilty.”

Mr Hogg said he wanted to commission an advocacy service for people with mental health problems, who are three times more likely to be victims of crime and five times more likely to be victims of assault.

And he proposed an advocacy service for people who suffered hate crime – with over 25 per cent of prosecutions failing.

Mr Hogg said: “Advocacy is a way of helping people to secure their rights and obtain the services they need.

“The service should ensure that victims have a care plan and a named individual who will guide them through the services which they have contact with.

“They will have access to legal support to help them exercise their legal rights.

Mr Hogg said there had been “dreadful stories where people have suffered terrible crimes” and the criminal justice system had failed them.

He cited the case of Richard Stark, 38, who was savagely beaten and left for dead in a Darlington street – a case featured in The Northern Echo last month.

Mr Hogg said: “Richard came round but suffered brain damage and I am sorry to say, is going to need day-to-day care for the rest of his life.

“Richard’s attacker (Stephen Starling) was sentenced to two years imprisonment, which is a travesty of justice.”

Mr Stark, who attended Mr Hogg’s swearing-in, said: “The person who did this nearly killed me. I have been in hospital and have had to go into care home with the brain injury.

“I feel let down because he’s going to out after a year and it has affected the rest of my life.”