Newsletter – October 2025

The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s specialist support team for victims and witnesses received more than 40,000 referrals last year to help adults and children dealing with the impact of crime.

Danielle Stone’s Voice for Victims Service offers free and confidential support to those wanting a listening ear, or more complex help for people facing domestic abuse or serious violence.

Last year, specialists received 40,993 referrals – with domestic abuse, serious violence, theft and fraud being the most common cases.

Referrals led to direct help, including 1,375 adults getting emotional one-to-one support and 64 children receiving therapy at home or in school.

One hundred Road Harm victims had counselling sessions too, some including bereavement support.

And 1,688 high risk domestic abuse clients at Sunflower Centre – a crisis centre part-funded by Voice for Victims – had help from an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor who assess risk.

Fiona Campbell, who leads Voice for Victims for the Commissioner, said: “For some people they want to express how the crime has affected them, and they are then able to move forward, but for others the impact can last much longer.

“Some victims may find it difficult to open up to family or friends, which is why Voice for Victims is here – to offer emotional support and help them take the first steps toward recovery.

“We tailor our support to each individual, whether they need someone to listen or practical help to feel safe and regain a sense of security.” Overwhelmingly, 96% of people helped by Voice for Victims gave positive feedback and would recommend the Service while 93% of those asked said they felt safer after seeking help.

How to get support from Voice

Police, professionals or individuals can refer into the Service which then triages each case to theright team.

Anyone who reports a crime to Northamptonshire Police is automatically referred to Voice for Victims, too.

However, support is available to anyone affected by crime, regardless of whether it has been reported.

Danielle said: “Victims just want one place where they can go for practical support.

“Voice for Victims was set up to be the single, go-to place for victims of any age in Northamptonshire to receive bespoke help all underone roof.

“Our specialists do a fantastic job of responding to changing needs and I’m very proud of how this service continues to support the most vulnerable whether they choose to report to the Police or not.”

Individuals can contact Voice directly by phone or online, and all matters stay confidential unless there is a risk to someone’s safety.

Contact details

• Website: voicenorthants.org
• Phone: 0300 303 1965
• Email: info@voicenorthants.org

Residents in Parklands, Northampton, received a boost in crime prevention support last month thanks to a successful community safety drop-in session hosted by PCSOs Dan Freeman and Laura Harmer.

The event marked another positive step in a series of initiatives backed by Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone, aimed at tackling crime and building safer communities across the county.

During the session, 10 bicycles were security marked and registered on the national BikeRegister database—helping deter theft and improve the chances of recovering stolen property. Residents also received free personal safety packs, which included alarms, bag guards, card defenders and other practical items designed to help people feel and stay safer.

“These community safety sessions are a vital link between officers and the public. Everything we’ve delivered—from vehicle packs to bike marking—has come directly from listening to local people and working together to find practical solutions,” said PCSO Dan Freeman.

Nicola Stephen, Founder of the Parklands Residents Group, said: “I founded the group nearly two years ago to help keep our residents informed and engaged with what’s happening in our local community.

“Over that time, I’ve had the pleasure of working with PCSO Dan Freeman and more recently Laura Harmer. Both have shown genuine support for our area—attending public events, engaging with residents, and consistently making a positive impact. Their involvement is always well received and truly appreciated by those of us who call Parklands home.”

The sessions have proven to be more than just a place to pick up safety items—they’ve generated valuable information, and most importantly, strengthened trust and confidence between residents and the Force.

“None of this would have been possible without the continued involvement of residents and the funding that allowed us to turn consultation into action. On behalf of Laura and myself, I’d like to thank PFCC Danielle Stone for the ongoing support and investment,” PCSO Dan Freeman added.

Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone commented: “Our strategy is rooted in prevention and partnership. By investing in initiatives that empower residents and strengthen local engagement, we’re not only helping to prevent crime—we’re building safer, stronger communities across Northamptonshire.”

Women in Northamptonshire who may be at risk of entering the Criminal Justice System for low-level offences are now receiving early support through a new intervention programme.

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone’s Criminal Justice team has partnered with The Good Loaf and C2C Social Action to deliver a much-needed initiative that places support staff directly inside the county’s two police custody suites.

The programme offers personalised support at the earliest possible stage, often before women formally enter the justice process. Women are assigned a specialist who works with them to understand and address the root causes of their offending— such as housing instability, poor mental health, substance misuse, or financial hardship.

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone said: “This is a significant step forward in how we support women in Northamptonshire. By intervening early, we can help divert women away from court proceedings and custodial sentences.”

Suzy Van Rooyen, CEO of The Good Loaf, said: “Our teams bring lived experience and a deep understanding of the challenges these women face.”

Pete Basham, Force Control Room and Custody Superintendent, said: “Supporting someone at the beginning is far more effective than waiting until they formally enter the system.”

Why early support for women makes a difference

When a woman enters police custody, it’s often not just about the offence— it’s about what led her there.

Many women involved in low-level crime are also victims of trauma, abuse, or crisis. Their actions are often a response to difficult life circumstances. That’s why early support is so important.

Thanks to a new programme launched by the PFCC, women in custody now meet with trained support workers from The Good Loaf and C2C Social Action. Together, they explore the root causes—whether it’s housing, mental health, addiction, or financial stress— and build a plan for recovery.

This isn’t about punishment. It’s about prevention, compassion, and change.

As women are more likely to be the main carers for children, this early support also helps keep families together, reduces the impact on children and reduces pressure on social services.

With the average prison place costing nearly £52,000 a year, early intervention offers a smarter, more effective way to support women—and build safer communities.

The Bigger Picture

• 4,356 women arrested in two years
• 690 arrested more than once
• 226 received conditional cautions
• 25,463 crimes’ victims were women
• 11,671 suspects or offenders are identified as women

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service has introduced two new Seasonal Support Vehicles as part of a trial aimed at enhancing the response to weather related incidents such as wildfires and flooding in the county.

The vehicles are based at Woodford Halse and Raunds Fire Stations, giving coverage on both sides of Northamptonshire and ensuring crews can respond efficiently to communities across the county.

This Summer, the Seasonal Support Vehicles were being used to support the response to wildfires. They are equipped with beaters, wildfire backpacks and specialist blowers that help to reduce the spread of fire on dry land.

And Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service are exploring how the vehicles can strengthen the response to flooding in the county by carrying specialist equipment and additional firefighters to hard-to-reach areas like flooded lanes and rural communities.

Introducing these vehicles is part of Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service’s commitment to adapting to the effects and impact of climate change. Flooding has become a growing risk in the county, and the Community Risk Management Plan has shown preparation for weather-related incidents like flooding as a priority.

Throughout the trial period, the new vehicles and their impact on flooding response will be evaluated and will inform future decisions on how they can be used.

As well as the addition of the Seasonal Support Vehicles to the Fire fleet, the Service has been looking at other ways to help tackle fires in rural areas.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service has collaborated with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) to ensure that couplings have been added to every frontline fire engine in the county.

These couplings, which have been donated by the NFU, will allow appliances to link up to farmers’ water bowsers and help crews to put fires out quicker and prevent them from spreading further in tinder dry conditions.

Joe Stanley, a farmer and Northamptonshire NFU chair, said: “Farm fires are lethal, they put farmers, their crops and stock at great risk as well as destroying buildings, feed and machinery and are a huge threat to wildlife and habitat.

“The adapters were developed by an innovative farmer looking for solutions and the NFU is happy to help to get them rolled out in Northamptonshire.

“We work closely with the Fire Service, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and other authorities – and it is vital we continue to focus on farm fire prevention and give farmers the right guidance in case they are in the awful position of having a blaze at their business. We hope to see the adapters rolled out further in the future.”