Victim Support Gloucestershire

20/10/2026

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) have noticed an increase in spiking during Freshers’ Week*.

Spiking is a crime where alcohol or drugs are given to someone without their consent and can come in various forms: drink spiking, needle spiking or food spiking.

Being spiked can be distressing, confusing, and embarrassing, but it is important to remember it is not your fault.

You can reach out to us at Victim Support to receive free and confidential advice about your experiences - regardless of if you have reported the crime to police.

Additionally, our free online resource My Support Space has a guide to help those who have been spiked. Create your free My Support Space account online: https://mysupportspace.org.uk or download our free app: www.victimsupport.org.uk/MSS_app/

You can contact us 24/7:
08 08 16 89 111
www.victimsupport.org.uk/live-chat
Relay UK: www.relayuk.bt.com
British Sign Language (BSL): www.convo.io/uk/home

* https://crimestoppers-uk.org/news-media/news/2024/sep/spiking-warning-for-students

15/10/2026

The stress of experiencing or witnessing a crime can affect every aspect of daily life. You may find yourself feeling anxious, worried, or struggling to process what has happened.

You don't have to face it alone. Our staff and volunteers provide a safe, supportive environment where you can talk about how you're feeling. By listening without judgement and helping you explore your options, we can support you in managing the stress of what you've experienced and taking positive steps forward.

For many people, simply being heard is an important step towards coping with the impact of crime and rebuilding confidence.

You can contact us 24/7:
📞 08 08 16 89 111
💻 www.victimsupport.org.uk/live-chat
🗨️ Relay UK: www.relayuk.bt.com
🤟 British Sign Language (BSL): www.signlive.co.uk/login

13/10/2026

Modern slavery can be found in everyday places you wouldn’t expect, such as retail or hospitality settings, making it harder to recognise.

Look beyond stereotypes – modern slavery can happen within family homes and involve people who are known to and trusted by the victim.

Recognise vulnerability – those with learning disabilities or other support needs can be more vulnerable to coercion and exploitation.

Trust your instincts, if something feels wrong, don’t dismiss it.

To report? Contact Gloucestershire Police through 101 or 999 for an emergency. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

Advice and guidance? Contact the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Hotline on 08000 121 700.

Support and advice for victims? Contact Victim Support:
📱 08 08 16 89 111
💻 www.victimsupport.org.uk/live-chat
🗨 Relay UK: www.relayuk.bt.com
🤟 British Sign Language (BSL): www.convo.io/uk/home

07/10/2026

30/09/2026

Victim Support Gloucestershire will be joining the Policing Information Points in Fairford Community Centre at 1100hrs on Thursday 1 October and at 1400hrs on Saturday 3 October.

Following the incident which occurred in Whelford near RAF Fairford in the early hours on Sunday 27th September, the Cotswolds Neighbourhood Policing Team are hosting several Police Information Points over the coming days. These Information Points are being arranged to allow you the opportunity to talk to us about any issues you are concerned about.

The first two will be held in Fairford itself on Thursday 1st October at 1100hrs and the second on Saturday 3rd October at 1400hrs and we will have a representative of Cotswold District Council with us. If you would like to have a chat, please come along to:

Fairford Community Centre
High Street
East End
FAIRFORD
GL7 4AF

Similarly we will also be hosting a Police Information Point at The Long Table, Market Place, CIRENCESTER on Saturday 3rd October at 1400hrs if anyone in Cirencester would also like to come and have a chat with us.

30/09/2026

We’re able to provide independent, confidential support to anyone affected by the major incident that took place at RAF Fairford earlier in September, including specialist support for children and young people who may be affected.

📞 Talk to your local team in Gloucestershire on 0808 281 0112 (9am-8pm Mon-Fri)
📞 Talk to our 24/7 national support line on 0808 168 9111
💻 www.victimsupport.org.uk/live-chat
Relay UK: www.relayuk.bt.com
British Sign Language (BSL): www.signlive.co.uk/login

Rebecca Richardson, Victim Support Gloucester Area Manager, said: “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the major incident at RAF Fairford. Events like this have a huge impact on the local community and beyond, and we know many are feeling shocked, anxious or unsafe. We want people to know that support is available if they need it.”

23/09/2026

Police reports indicate decrease in hate crimes in 2025 compared to 2024; however, there were still over ten thousand hate crime survivors. Moreover, this does not include crimes which have not been reported, or experiences which were instead categorised as hate incidents.

If you have experienced any form of crime or incident motivated due to any part of your identity, we are here to help – regardless of if the event has been reported to the police. If you or someone you know have struggled after experiencing a hate crime, don’t hesitate to contact us to receive free and confidential support and advice.

You can contact us 24/7:
08 08 16 89 111
www.victimsupport.org.uk/live-chat
Relay UK: www.relayuk.bt.com
British Sign Language (BSL): www.convo.io/uk/home

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16/09/2026

The Witness Service is available in every criminal court across Gloucestershire and provides free practical and emotional support to all witnesses, whether attending for the prosecution or defence. Support is available before, during, and after a trial, helping to make the court process less daunting.To find out more, visit: 👉 www.witnessservice.org.uk

If you are attending court, you can also access our free online resource, My Support Space, which offers guidance and support for victims preparing to go to court.
Create your free account today: www.mysupportspace.org.uk/moj or download the free app: 👉 www.victimsupport.org.uk/MSS_app
Need support? We're here 24/7.
📞 08 08 16 89 111
💬 Live Chat: 👉 www.victimsupport.org.uk/live-chat
📱 Relay UK: 👉 www.relayuk.bt.com
🤟 British Sign Language (BSL): 👉 www.convo.io/uk/home

09/09/2026

Experiencing violence, abuse or harassment at work is never acceptable. Yet for many taxi and private-hire drivers, it can be a daily or weekly reality.

Late-night journeys, especially around pubs and clubs, can bring an increased risk of aggressive or unpredictable behaviour. Many drivers work alone, which can leave them feeling isolated, vulnerable and stressed. Some drivers also face racial abuse, harassment and hate crime because of their ethnicity or background.

If you've been affected by crime, Victim Support is here for you.

As an independent charity, you can contact us whether or not you’ve reported the crime to the police. We can provide confidential support without involving the criminal justice system, and we won’t share information about you unless we believe someone is at risk of harm.

We’re available 24/7:

📞 08 08 16 89 111
💻 www.victimsupport.org.uk/live-chat
🗨️ Relay UK: www.relayuk.bt.com
🤟 British Sign Language (BSL): www.victimsupport.org.uk/accessibility/

Or access free online support through My Support Space: www.victimsupport.org.uk/MSS_app/

02/09/2026

If you have been the victim of crime, we know that this can have a negative impact on your mental health; therefore, it is important to find techniques which can improve your wellbeing.
Studies show time doing activities outdoors, such as sports or gardening, can improve happiness and overall life satisfaction*.
However, going outside is just one method, and we recognise it may not be accessible for everyone. If you are struggling to find ways to cope after being impacted by crime, check out our app “My Support Space” for more strategies.
Create your free My Support Space account online: https://mysupportspace.org.uk
Or download our free app: www.victimsupport.org.uk/MSS_app/
You can also contact us 24/7:
08 08 16 89 111
www.victimsupport.org.uk/live-chat
Relay UK: www.relayuk.bt.com
British Sign Language (BSL): www.convo.io/uk/home
* Houlden et al. (2018).