WE often hear that victims of crime feel let down by the criminal justice system because they feel their views are not heard or they find it difficult to navigate the system.

Now it appears their voices have been heard, at least in Gwent, where a new joint service officially opened yesterday will for the first time in Wales create a single point of contact for victims.

The Connect Gwent hub in Blackwood is unique in the way it brings together under one roof several agencies who work with victims of crime.

Victim Support is there as is New Pathways, an organisation which helps victims of sexual abuse, and Embrace which works with younger people.

Aneurin Bevan Health Board and the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service are also involved in the hope that having all these services under one roof will make a real difference to the experience people have after they report a crime.

At the launch, victims commissioner Baroness Helen Newlove, who came to prominence after her husband Gary was murdered in the street in 2007, no doubt spoke for many when she said victims want to be able to know they can go to one person to find out the answers to the many questions they have.

Connect Gwent is a first for Wales. Let’s hope it develops into a trend-setter because of the real and positive difference it makes.