The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Hertfordshire, David Lloyd, has welcomed the £1.26 million from the government to spend on victims' services.

From April 1, Mr Lloyd will be responsible for the commissioning of the support offered to victims of crime in the county.

Up until now, victims' surcharges collected from offenders in courts have been used by the Ministry of Justice to commission victims' services on a national level.

The new arrangements will see theses budgets transferred over to 41 PCCs across England and Wales for spending locally.

In addition to victims' services, the £1.26 million budget will be particularly spent on victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse alongside restorative justice services.

A portion of prisoners' earnings will also be spent on victims.

Mr Lloyd said: "From April, victims' services will me made to measure for victims of crime in Hertfordshire, better reflecting their needs and wishes, as opposed to the one-size-fits-all approach we've had up to now. This is a massive step forward in creating a more victim-centred criminal justice system in the county.

"I look forward to telling the people of Hertfordshire more about in the coming weeks and months."

The changes, which PCCs had anticipated, are now underway at the commissioner’s office, and the new arrangements for supporting victims in Hertfordshire will be unveiled in the coming weeks.