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Homicide victims
08/02/2009
Steps have been taken to make sure that the families of homicide victims killed in the home don't have the added stress of paying to clean the property.
In most cases the costs will be met by the landlord or by the insurer, but where this is not the case the Association of Chief Police Officers for Scotland (ACPOS) have announced that the police will meet the costs of decontamination and cleaning.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said:
"The murder of a family member would be traumatic and distressing for anybody, but for the family to then have to meet the costs of cleaning the home is simply wrong.
"That's why we set up a working group to look at the issue. I am pleased that they've now come up with a solution, and that ACPOS have agreed to meet the cost in the absence of other provision. This will ensure families no longer have the added stress and cost of cleaning the home.
"It is important that organisations are sensitive to the needs of families of homicide victims, and the Scottish Government has been working with the Association of British Insurers and the Chartered Institute of Housing to ensure that appropriate guidance is provided to insurers and housing providers."
Assistant Chief Constable Campbell Corrigan (Strathclyde Police), Secretary of the ACPOS Crime Business Area, said:
"Ultimately, a small number of cases will fall outwith the responsibility of the various landlords or insurance companies. In these exceptional cases, ACPOS will meet the costs in respect of decontamination and cleaning services of dwelling houses."
A short-term working group involving the Association of British Insurers, ACPOS, COSLA, People Experiencing Trauma & Loss (PETAL), Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and Victim Support Scotland was set up by the Scottish Government last spring.
The ABI has agreed to issue guidance to its members. The Scottish Government and Chartered Institute of Housing are producing guidance for housing providers about how best to respond to a serious crime in someone's home.