🚨 Early release scheme support

🚨 Early release scheme support

Hi Resident,

The early release of offenders under the Sentencing Act 2026 starts today.

For many victims of crime, the early release of an offender can cause anxiety and distress.

The Government has set up a dedicated Offender Release Helpline.

Run by Victim Support, the Helpline will provide information, emotional and practical support, and help to access other services for people affected by, or worried about, the release of an offender.

The Helpline is there to:

🟢 Listen to victims and survivors’ concerns and offer emotional support

🟢 Discuss wellbeing, safety and possible next steps

🟢 Provide practical guidance and help callers understand what the changes may mean

🟢 Explain how someone may be able to seek further information

🟢 Help people access ongoing or specialist support where appropriate

You can contact the Helpline on 0808 168 9280, Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays).

Free emotional support for people affected by the changes living in Thames Valley (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Milton Keynes) is also available from Victims First, the Police and Crime Commissioner's service supporting victims of crime.

Telephone support is available on 0300 1234 148 - Monday-Thursday - 9am to 6pm and Friday - 9am to 4.30pm while a live chat service is available 24/7 via the Victims First website: https://www.victims-first.org.uk/ 

Please note that neither the Offender Release Helpline nor Victims First will be able to provide information about individual offenders or specific case details and release dates.

The Government will be implementing a scheme to contact victims with how they can request information related to their case. For advice on how you can request information yourself, contact the Offender Release Helpline.

For more information, please visit our website: https://www.thamesvalley-pcc.gov.uk/early-release-scheme-support/