Victim and Witness Care Unit

Supporting victims

The specialist Surrey Police Victim and Witness Care Unit is funded by our office to help victims of crime cope and, as far as possible, recover from their experience.

Advice and support is offered to every victim of crime in Surrey, for as long as they need it. You can also call or email to request support from the team any time after a crime has occurred.

Depending on your individual needs, the professional team can help identify and signpost services that are best suited to your unique situation, all the way to working alongside Surrey Police to ensure you are kept updated with the progress of a case, are supported through the criminal justice system and afterwards.

Understanding the Sentencing Act 2026 changes and accessing support

The Government is introducing changes to prison release arrangements through the Sentencing Act 2026. These changes are intended to help ensure there is enough space in prisons, while making sure there is tough supervision of offenders when they are released to keep victims and the wider public safe.

The Sentencing Act 2026 makes changes to the amount of time some offenders spend in prison before being released to serve the rest of their sentence on licence.

A new three-part model will be introduced for standard determinate sentences called a ‘Progression Model’. Protecting victims remains a priority. All offenders released through the Progression Model will be subject to strict licence conditions and a period of intensive supervision.

The changes do not apply to more than 18,000 offenders. For a list of offences that this model does not apply to visit sentencing act offence exclusions (opens in new window).

More information about the Progression Model, what is changing, how victims can be informed and what support is available can be found at: A guide for victims about the changes to prison release arrangements – GOV.UK (opens in new window)

How to access support

If you have been affected by these changes or are worried about the release of offenders, local services are available to support you. Find out how to access support below.

Victim Support’s dedicated Offender Release Helpline provides information, emotional and practical support, and help to access other services for people affected by, or worried about, the release of an offender.

The Helpline is there to:

• Listen to victims and survivors’ concerns and offer emotional support
• Discuss wellbeing, safety and possible next steps
• Provide practical guidance and help callers understand what the changes may mean
• Explain how someone may be able to seek further information, the Helpline cannot provide information about individual offenders or case specific release dates.
• Help people access ongoing or specialist support where appropriate

You can contact the Helpline on 0808 168 9280. Further information about the Helpline and the support available can be found at https://victimsupport.org.uk/offender-release-helpline

You can also access local support through the Surrey Victim and Witness Care Unit. The unit is open 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday and can be reached online through the website Home – Victim & Witness Care Unit or by telephone: 01483 639949.  

Find support

The Victim and Witness Care Unit website contains a searchable list of victim support services in Surrey.

The Victim and Witness Care team can be contacted directly on 01483 639949 (8am– 5pm Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays. 8am-7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays). Always dial 999 in an emergency.

You can also view a full list of victim support services funded by our office here.