Violence Victims Claims At £1 m

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31017, 24 March 1966, Page 13

Violence Victims Claims At £1 m

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

LONDON, March 23.

Compensation for victims of violent crimes in the coming year may top almost £1 million, says the Home Office.

Figures released by the Ministry show that the payout estimate has been boosted from £462,000 to £850,000, but a spokesman says this may not be enough. “Crimes of violence are increasing and people are now getting to know about us.” an official of the Criminal Injuries Board says. “Claims are coming in thick and heavy.”

The board is receiving claims at the rate of about 270 a month compared with a total of 173 in the first five months of the scheme in late 1964.

A 30sec television film is

being made for showing later this year to encourage crime victims to claim compensation.

The film will show three violent scenes: a shopkeeper being coshed, a man being attacked while trying to stop a thief, and a woman being knocked to the ground after being attacked by a bag snatcher.

The average compensation paid out by the board since the scheme started is £325 The highest award so far is £7OOO.

There are bigger claims under consideration. Two are victims who have been completely blinded and whose cairns should amount to about £lO,OOO each.

Another claim, though no decision has yet been made, is from a young couple whose baby was kidnapped then hurled from a window.