Create fund to help Victims’ families

3/1/08

Margaret Smith MSP has called on the Scottish Government to pay for the clean up costs of murders that have occurred in homes. 

Evidence obtained by the Liberal Democrats shows that around 20-30 families each year have to pay the cost of cleaning up their own home after a murder has been committed in it, at a cost of between £200 to £3000. 

Commenting Mrs Smith said:

“As well as coming to terms with their loss and attending to funeral arrangements, the families of murder victims have the added ordeal of a court case and, quite often, media attention.

"It seems crazy to add to this burden by forcing families to pay for the cost of cleaning up the murder scene if it occurs in their own home. 

"I want the Scottish Government to consider my proposal to introduce a fund that would cover the cost of cleaning up homes after murder.

“Given the relatively small sums of money involved, this would be an affordable gesture that would make a huge difference to bereaved families at a difficult time.”