Mark European Victims’ Week with real action demands Smith

15/2/08

Margaret Smith MSP has demanded that the Scottish Government mark European Victims’ Week by taking real action to help the victims of crime.

The Edinburgh West MSP has already lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament, which has attracted cross party support, calling on the Justice Secretary to adopt her policy of setting up a fund to pay for the clean up costs of murders that have occurred in homes. 

Evidence obtained by the Liberal Democrats shows that around 20 to 30 families each year have to pay up to £3000 to clean up their homes if a murder has been committed there.

Commenting, Mrs Smith said:

“I am disappointed that the Justice Secretary has yet to act on my suggestion that the Government sets up a fund to pay for the clean up costs of murders that have occurred in homes.  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.

“The Scottish Government claims to be committed to supporting victims.  I will reserve judgment until the Justice Secretary actually takes some action to help victims.  Marking European Victims’ Week by adopting our suggestion for a murder clean up fund would be a good start.

“I will not allow ministers to spin their way out of delivering for victims of crime.”