A police and crime commissioner has pledged to support the victims of prisoners whose sentences are due to finish early under a Government scheme.

Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has criticised the early release initiative but said he welcomes the Ministry of Justice funding, which will be used to bolster the regional support service Victim First.

Victims of crimes from across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland can seek advice and information through the platform, as well as therapeutic support if suffering from distress.

With the additional funding, specialist workers will be made available within the Victim First service, as will more home security measures including video doorbells, door braces and letterbox protectors.

Mr Matthews said: "I am pleased that the Government has recognised the emotional and psychological impact these decisions can have on people who have already suffered as a result of crime.

"Victims must be at the heart of every decision made within the criminal justice system. While I recognise the pressures facing the prison estate, the long-term solution is to create more prison capacity, not to release offenders early to make space for others.

"Too often, victims are left feeling that their needs and experiences are an afterthought. Their safety, confidence and recovery must remain paramount."

Under the Government's latest early release initiative, which came into effect on Thursday (October 1), qualifying offenders will be released early to vacate space and reduce prison overcrowding.

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Some will be freed after serving just a third of their sentence, however anyone convicted of serious crimes including rape, terrorism, child sexual offences are exempt from the scheme.

Mr Matthews has described the early release initiative as a "dilution of justice", suggesting that expanding prison capacity is the correct course of action to reduce overcrowding, rather than releasing prisoners early.

"Justice must mean justice," Mr Matthews said.

"When a sentence has been handed down by a judge entrusted to determine the appropriate punishment, it is wrong that it can be effectively reduced simply because the prison system has run out of space.

"The prison capacity crisis is having consequences right across the criminal justice system. Building more prison places will help ensure offenders serve the sentences imposed by the courts and give police greater confidence that their work to bring criminals to justice is not being undermined."