麻豆约拍

Winifred Robinson hears from the victims of crime and finds out what more could be done to help them

In an age of mass-grieving, where flowers are placed by strangers at murder scenes and politicians promise to place victims at the heart of the criminal justice system - how much do we really know or care about the victims of crime? How are they really served by the police, the courts and the ministers who call on them at times of public unease to share crime summits and photocalls?

For the past year Louise Casey the first Victims' and Witnesses' Commissioner for England and Wales has been hearing their stories first hand. A Radio 4's documentary team - reporter Winifred Robinson and producer Sue Mitchell - have been given unique access to these meetings.

Louise is a controversial figure. In past roles advising the government on tackling homelessness and anti social behaviour she told charities to abandon soup runs and said offenders on community service should wear florescent jackets so local communities could see the reparations being made.

As Commissioner for Victims she says they are too often brushed off and ignored by officialdom as public servants and funding swing into action supporting the perpetrators of crime.

Producer: Sue Mitchell.