Victims of crime in Southend are still not receiving enough support - ten years after a government charter was introduced, according to a support organisation.

Maureen Longley, co-ordinator of Southend Victim Support, said too much attention is paid to offenders, while victims are often left to fend for themselves.

She said: "Many victims feel that the system is still discriminatory, and that their needs are almost irrelevant compared to the perpetrator being caught and sentenced.

"Police can be very supportive, but their primary role is to catch criminals - not support the victims.

"Going through a court case is very traumatic, and people need more help. Victims of rape-related crimes also need encouragement to come forward and know help is at hand."

The charitable organisation, based in Queens Road, also offers practical support to victims of a wide range of crimes, including filing insurance claims.

Though it receives a Home Office grant, workers insist more funds are needed in order to expand the service and fulfill demand.

Mrs Longley said: "We need more trained volunteers, and more emphasis placed on crime prevention.

"We would like to be able to go to schools and talk to children, but we just don't have the resources.

"Progress has been made since the Government promised to improve the situation ten years ago, but there's still a long way to go."

A recent report by the Home Office recognised changes were needed to the Government's 1990 Victims' Charter.

New guidelines will be published in the autumn, said Home Office Minister Paul Boateng.

For more information about Southend's confidential Victim Support service, call 01702 333911.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.