A new £1 million support scheme will give victims a voice against crime, the Home Secretary has announced.
A network of "victim advocates" will be set up to meet those affected by crime to see what services are available to them and what further support they need.
They will then give advice on local crime and policing strategies to the new Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) when they are brought in next year.
The Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses, Louise Casey, will work in partnership with the Victim Support charity to set up the network.
She said: "This funding allows for the ground to be laid in advance of the arrival of PCCs to gauge what victims' experiences are, what services are currently on offer and what more will need to be done.
"I hope that it means PCCs will arrive with the full picture on victims' priorities and can make any changes needed quickly.
"This will mean that victims will have a louder voice around the table of local crime and policing."
Home Secretary Theresa May said: "Crime and anti-social behaviour blights communities and can make people's lives an absolute misery, in some cases leading to tragic consequences.
"I am delighted this money will see victims better represented at a local level ahead of PCCs who will take forward this important work from May next year."
The publicly-elected PCCs will replace the existing police authorities and will set priorities for local policing as well as holding chief constables to account.
