Two Teesside MPs have opened the Redcar and Cleveland Victim Support Unit offices, which last year dealt with 6,800 referrals.
Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Ashok Kumar and Redcar MP Vera Baird unveiled a plaque and met trustees, staff and volunteers working at the refurbished centre in Westgate, Guisborough.
The local Victim Support Scheme covers Redcar and east Cleveland and works closely with Cleveland Police's Langbaurgh district.
The unit is also offering specialised help to victims of crime and witnesses, funded by the Government's renewal scheme. It is hoped it will lead to a higher rate of successful court prosecutions.
Mr Kumar said: "It is good that a service like Victim Support exists, offering personal advice and counselling to those whose lives have been wrecked by criminals.
"I am very pleased at the news that the witness support scheme is now up and running as I believe that it offers a real route to getting a high rate of successful court prosecutions, something of benefit to everyone in our local community."
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