THE wife of an innocent man who was murdered by a gang of anti-social youths is calling for other victims to share their views.

Baroness Helen Newlove, in her role as national victims’ commissioner, has launched a survey to gain an insight into people’s experiences – with time running out to have your say and help to shape new laws.

Baroness Newlove tragically lost her husband, Garry, when he was murdered by a gang of youths outside their Fearnhead home in August 2007.

He was beaten after confronting a teenage gang he suspected of vandalising his wife’s car, with his death coming after a long-running campaign surrounding youth violence and anti-social behaviour.

Three teenagers were convicted of Garry’s murder in January 2008, and Baroness Newlove was made a life peer for her work on youth crime in the aftermath of the tragedy.

She has been a prominent voice in advocating for change ever since and took up a seat in the House of Lords in 2010.

In her role as victims’ commissioner she believes that people experiencing persistent anti-social behaviour are not getting the support and rights they deserve.

That is why she is pushing for support for victims in an amendment to the Victims and Prisoners Bill, currently in its final stages in the House of Lords.

The survey itself focuses on experiences of reporting anti-social behaviour, the support victims receive and people’s experience of the anti-social behaviour case review process.

During her first two terms as victims’ commissioner, Baroness Newlove argued that victims of anti-social behaviour were being let down by police, councils and housing providers, with many victims having to suffer in silence.

In 2019 she published her ‘Living a Nightmare’ report that set out a number of proposed changes which would give victims a voice and access to support.

The findings of the current survey will build on her previous work and feed into a new report due to be published later this year.

Baroness Newlove said: “As I know only too well, experiencing persistent anti-social behaviour can be like a living nightmare.

“The cumulative impact of the behaviour can devastate victims’ lives, affecting their sleep, work, relationships, health and feelings of safety in their own home.

“As victims’ commissioner, one of my priorities is ensuring victims of anti-social behaviour feel heard, respected and supported when they come forward.

“This is why it is so important to hear directly from victims, so that their experiences can inform the legislation and policy changes I put forward and address the challenges these victims face.”

The survey closes on Wednesday, April 3, and is available via victimscommissioner.org.uk/news/victims-commissioner-launches-new-anti-social-behaviour-survey/