THE number of victims of crime choosing to use a new £900,000 specialist service is "disappointing", the Police and Crime Commissioner has said.

Supporting Victims North Yorkshire was launched in April and is a phone service with trained call-takers which speaks with victims of crime and puts them in touch with support services, particularly those which specialise in in sexual or domestic abuse.

Referrals to the service are made automatically by North Yorkshire Police and other public agencies, and so far 4,566 victims had been referred to the service by police officers, which Julia Mulligan said was "very welcome news indeed".

However, the number of people contacting the service of their own volition, is much lower - just 28 people got in touch through the Supporting Victims website, through witness care, or by phone.

Mrs Mulligan said: "The services on offer are far more comprehensive than was previously the case, and I want to give victims of crime the confidence that, whatever has happened to them, they will be able to get the support they need to get their lives back on track.

"While the police are doing a very good job referring victims of crime to the new service, it is disappointing to see such low numbers of victims referring themselves. We need to do more to raise the awareness of the service and encourage victims to come to Supporting Victims whether the police are aware of the incident or not."

The service costs £915,165 and is funded jointly by the office of the PCC and other local avenues, including local authorities, after it was put out to tender last year, with independent firms providing victims adviser services, counselling or talking therapy services, victim support and restorative justice services.

Work is currently underway to raise awareness of the service for the public, to encourage people to get in touch with the service, and make victims aware they can speak to someone and get assistance without going through the police.

The organisation announced this week it would speak to anyone who had been affected by the recent terrorist attack in Tunisia, and urged anyone with concerns to contact them.

Mrs Mulligan said: "I want to take this opportunity to remind victims of crime that, whether you tell the police or not, Supporting Victims is there help. You don’t need a crime number to get services, and you don’t need to have told the police."

For more details on the service or to seek assistance go to supportingvictims.org Alternatively email help@supportingvictims.org or phone 01904 669276.