Police and victims of crime today gave their backing to a vital support and advice service facing closure in Bradford.

Allegations of management irregularities have led to the suspension of Government funding to Bradford Victim Support, whose main office is in Westgate. Without the £87,000 Home Office grant the service will fold and its sister scheme in Keighley will be left to absorb the extra workload.

Detective Chief Inspector Allan Doherty, of Eccleshill Police, said the service was crucial to the needs of victims of crime in Bradford.

"I am sure the Keighley branch will do an excellent job in the short term but it is vital a city the size of Bradford continues to have a scheme of its own," said DCI Doherty.

"It is an absolutely crucial scheme providing support for victims, their families and people who have to go to court to give evidence.

"As I understand it there is no problem with the service being offered to victims and I am sure the management problems can be rectified speedily."

Victim Support National Office took the decision to suspend funding last month after the scheme's ten-strong board of trustees failed to meet agreed Code of Practice standards.

There has been no suggestion of financial irregularities, or that the service offered to victims by volunteers and co-ordinators is below standard.

Management trustees were meeting today to discuss the future of the service, but its final fate will be decided at an appeal hearing in London later this month. One volunteer visitor, who joined Bradford Victim Support last year, told the Telegraph & Argus: "There has been a lack of commitment among trustees to let central office know about the scheme's progress.

"All the referrals have been moved to Keighley until we know the outcome of the appeal, but it is a small office and I don't know how they'll cope."

A five-strong delegation will travel to London on January 25 to put their case to Victim Support National Office.

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