Victims’ Commissioner Baroness Newlove dies following ‘short illness’

Baroness Newlove was a tireless advocate for victims who boldly challenged justice agencies to treat victims with the compassion, decency and respect they deserve.

The Office of the Victims’ Commissioner said she was “a dear friend and a respected colleague and she will be greatly missed”.

In a statement it said: “We are deeply saddened to share that Baroness Helen Newlove, the Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, has passed away following a short illness. Our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.

“Helen was a committed and passionate advocate for victims, drawing on her own experience of the criminal justice system. She was determined that all victims should be treated with compassion, decency and respect – and she consistently led by example.

“Under her leadership, the role of Victims’ Commissioner was transformed – growing in stature, influence and authority. She reshaped the office into a trusted voice and genuine force for victims: one that stands firmly on their side, champions their rights, and holds the justice system to account.

“This transformation stands as a testament to her work and will remain her enduring legacy.

“As well as Victims’ Commissioner, Helen was a dear friend and a respected colleague. She will be greatly missed.

“We ask that the privacy of the family is respected at this time.”

Baroness Newlove was a dedicated community campaigner and activist who came to national prominence in 2007 following the tragic and senseless murder of her husband, Garry Newlove, who was attacked by a gang of youths outside their home. Following this devastating loss, Baroness Newlove became a prominent national voice, launching a tireless campaign to call on authorities to take action against persistent anti-social behaviour and youth violence.

In recognition of her extraordinary campaigning and achievements, Baroness Newlove was appointed Government Champion for Active, Safer Communities in 2010. That same year, she was nominated for a peerage by then Prime Minister David Cameron. She subsequently served two terms as the Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales: initially from 2013 to 2019, and a third term from 2023.

During her time in office, Baroness Newlove was instrumental in driving reforms to place victims at the heart of the justice system. She laid crucial groundwork to enshrine victims’ rights in law, a vision that contributed to the passage of the Victims and Prisoners Act (2024). She led important reviews of the Victims’ Code, the Parole system, and continued to spotlight the severe impact of anti-social behaviour, which she explored in depth in her 2019 report, Living a Nightmare, and revisited in 2023.

As Commissioner, Baroness Newlove published the largest victim surveys ever produced by the office, with the most recent capturing the voices and experiences of over 6,500 victims. She was determined that victims’ voices should be heard, and was passionate about meeting victims and hearing about their experiences.

Baroness Newlove’s philosophy was profoundly shaped by her and her family’s personal experiences of the criminal justice system.

Her overarching goal was to improve victims’ experiences in court and ensure they were granted a meaningful voice throughout the criminal justice process. But above all, she was determined that victims should be treated with compassion, decency, and respect – hallmarks of her approach as Victims’ Commissioner.

The Office of the Victims’ Commissioner said she will be “deeply missed by her family, her friends, and her colleagues”.