One of six new helpdesks offering support to crime victims across the county has opened in Medway.

Called Compass Points, they are intended to make it easier to access face-to-face help and advice. People will be able to drop-in to speak to victim support staff and volunteers and pick up safety items, such as personal alarms and home protection devices.

The helpdesks have been developed by the charity Victim Support, which has been awarded a three-year contract by the Kent police commissioner, Ann Barnes.

Mrs Ann Barnes said: “I made a commitment to put victims and witnesses of crime at the heart of everything we do here in Kent and last year we successfully launched the county’s first victims and witness help and advice centre, Compass House, in Ashford. More than 53,000 victims of crime have been offered help since then.

‘Now, we’re building on our work with Victim Support by launching these new Compass Points so that even more victims are able to access the help they need closer to home – and offering a more personal face-to-face service rather than online or over the phone.”

The Medway helpdesk is at Strood library and will be open between 10.30am to 12.30pm on Mondays only.

Kultar Nayyar, a director at Victim Support said: “We are very proud to continue supporting victims of crime in Kent and for the chance to further our collaboration with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

"Even more victims are able to access the help they need closer to home" - Ann Barnes

“We have developed Compass Points to offer an entirely new and simple way for people to access services they need as a victim of crime and to break down barriers to reaching support.

“Each Compass Point will be hosted by staff and volunteers with localised knowledge, who are trained to offer support tailored to meet the needs of every individual.”

Other helpdesks will open in Dover, Gravesend, Maidstone, Margate and Tunbridge Wells.

Victims of crime can access the service even if they have chosen not to report the crime to the police.