On Friday I met with Chief Superintendent Manku, Commanding Officer of the East region of the police force in Birmingham.

I first got in contact with Chief Supt Manku during my many months of discussion with local people, crime fighting agencies, victim support groups and Victim’s Champion, Sara Payne, as part of my campaign to shift the balance away from the rights of criminals towards the rights of victims, through my additions to the Victim’s Charter.

I was delighted to hear that so many of the people I asked where already part of larger organisations, however Chief Supt Manku was eager to discuss what the East region is doing and what they can do further.

At our meeting, Superintendent Manku and I discussed the work that West Midlands police currently do to help support and reassure victims of crime, with particular attention to anti-social behaviour, at a local level. We also discussed how working with local dignitaries (Neighbourhood watch, faith leaders, etc) can help tailor policing and victim support.