Possession boxes launched across West Mercia to support bereaved families
National charity RoadPeace have worked with the West Mercia PCC to help those families impacted by road traffic collisions
Possession boxes for bereaved families impacted by road traffic collisions have been set-up across West Mercia.
Policing teams across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire will now have boxes as a way of a compassionately giving personal belongings back to a family.
The initiative has been led by national charity for road crash victims RoadPeace, who support bereaved families and witnesses in West Mercia, and backed by the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).
Redditch's Lucy Harrison has been working with the teams on the project after her brother was killed in a road traffic collision a decade ago.
She is also RoadPeace’s project and outreach coordinator for the area, she says she hopes the boxes can also have an impact nationally.
"When my brother was killed, his possessions were returned in a bag with no warning and no warning of their condition," she said.
They were very broken and it was really distressing and I just thought maybe if they had a special box or something to give them back that would've really helped.
"For a family getting any little bit of items back is really important, so the way that those possessions are treated plays into that and there is a sense that this will just bring a little bit more comfort."
PCC John Campion said: “I know from listening to bereaved families who have sadly lost a loved one on our roads about the impact it has on their lives.
“That’s why it’s absolutely vital that anyone affected by loss is given the support and guidance they need in their darkest hour. I am proud to be able to play my part, with the box being a small but significant way of respecting the victim and their family.”
The boxes will contain a leaflet to support bereaved families, as well as a guide to assist officers when returning items.
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