Staff who help victims of crime face redundancy.

Victim Support workers in West Yorkshire face an uncertain future after being told they may not have jobs after March 31 due to changes in the way the service is commissioned.

Victim Support was previously funded centrally but now money is coming from each individual police and crime commissioner (PCC).

All Yorkshire PCCs are joining together to fund the county’s service and no agreement had yet been reached, despite a deadline of October 2014.

West Yorkshire’s PCC Mark Burns-Williamson said there were regional holds ups as PCCs throughout Yorkshire aim to commission a service jointly.

As Victim Support remains without funding from March 31 it has had to give staff notice as part of legal obligations.

Lesley McLean, West Yorkshire manager for Victim Support, said: “Local commissioning is new to Victim Support and the Police and Crime Commissioner, who is very supportive of our work and with whom we have a good relationship. We are currently working closely together as we discuss securing future funding for local victim services.

“In the interim, Victim Support has begun consulting with our staff in West Yorkshire, which could result in around two of our employees working in Huddersfield being put at risk of redundancy. We are committed to supporting all of our staff during this period of uncertainty.

“Our priority, as always, is ensuring victims across Yorkshire and Humber continue to receive the help they need to cope and recover from crime.”

Mr Burns-Williamson said: “Here in West Yorkshire I value the work of Victim Support and the dedication of its staff and volunteers and have committed not only to retaining the current service but enhancing the support the organisation provides to victims.

“However, although my office worked to prevent this, Victim Support staff have unfortunately been put on notice. The reason for this is that the service Victim Support currently provides is commissioned regionally and the negotiations with Victim Support are ongoing in other police and crime commissioner areas.

“I have spoken to my colleagues and reassured Victim Support that West Yorkshire remains committed and I hope that any outstanding issues can be resolved in the near future in order to give staff the security they deserve.”