Victims of domestic violence in the Maldon area could be helped by a new mobile phone scheme.

The phones will put sufferers in closer contact with the police by being pre-programmed with emergency numbers.

"This is something I have been after for some time," said crime prevention officer, PC Pete Furlong.

He added: "All over the section these things happen and the only thing we can offer people is a panic alarm. We are restricted to how many alarms we have and they are quite bulky, it is much better to give someone a mobile phone."

Mr Furlong said the phones can be used in the street or even for an elderly person who has suffered a burglary as a reassurance that they can make a hotline call immediately.

Tony Plumridge, chairman of the Partnership to Reduce Crime, welcomed the phone scheme and said domestic violence is emerging as a key issue.

He added: "Nationally it is thought that one in four women are assaulted in their lives which is totally unacceptable.

"There is also a lot of evidence that men are assaulted, but they don't tend to come forward."

Domestic violence can also have an effect on other parts of people's lives such as health, employment and children and crosses all groups in society, he added.

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