CRIME, in all its forms, is sadly an inescapable fact of life. It features every week to a greater or lesser degree in the columns of this and almost every other newspaper in Britain.

Often some of the crimes we report are considered to be minor. A shed break-in, the theft of a garden ornament, a car radio, a snatched purse. They are condensed into a few lines and known in the world of newspapers as a "nib" - news in brief.

They are crimes, not in themselves headline making or taken any less seriously by those who simply report the news, but for the victim they all too often have a shattering and long lasting effect on their lives,

And the "ripple" effect can spread out far and wide to include families and friends.

Anger, becoming withdrawn, loss of confidence, a feeling that one's privacy has been invaded, not to mention fear and distrust are powerful emotions which victims often experience.

The police, traditionally the emergency service we think of first in relation to crime, is often said to be too remote, too busy, and often perhaps unfairly accused of treating minor crime victims as just another number to enter into the statistics.

However, given its limited resources the police service offers as much practical help as it can in such cases.

But, in Bromsgrove practical and emotional support to help victims put their lives back together will in future not be far away.

From Wednesday, October 30, a new Victim Support drop-in centre is set to open at the Methodist Centre in Stratford Road.

The national charity, which depends heavily on locally raised funding to keep it afloat, will open every Wednesday from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Victim Support has been based in the town previously, but the last time it was based in the police station which may have deterred some people from visiting.

Victim support co-ordinator Caron Cook outlined the aims of the group, which was launched nationally in Bristol in 1974, and is the only major organisation dedicated to helping victims.

Caron said Bromsgrove presently has around 20 volunteers who are trained to cope with what are often delicate and sensitive situations.

"They have a basic three-days training but it is ongoing," she said.

Caron added that gender, age, ethnic origin or background is no barrier to becoming a volunteer. Some have themselves been victims in the past and simply want to give something back.

The service they offer is wide and varied to cope with the many demanding situations they encounter.

Clients are referred to the service by doctors, the police, schools, social workers, family, friends as well as people making personal contact themselves.

Caron stresses that the service is confidential and free and available to anyone who is a victim of crime.

An important part of their work is acquainting clients with information on police procedures and giving support to witnesses in court through their much used and appreciated witness service, contacting other agencies and helping fill in complicated insurance and compensation forms.

Often a volunteer will spend months assisting a client giving support and help through the various stages right through to the conclusion of a court case. Caron said: "Our aim is simply to help people who have suffered as a result of crime, to help them get their lives back on track and allow them to take control again.

"If we can achieve that we have succeeded."

For more information about Victim Support call 01527 66462, office hours, Monday to Friday.