Victims of domestic violence will have instant access to a mobile phone thanks to a new partnership.

Keighley Police and the Crime Prevention Community Fund have shelled out nearly £700 to pay for four Safelink mobile phones and line rental for a year.

The move means people who fear for their safety but who are not on the phone can have instant access to the police.

Single Regeneration Budget money is paying for the scheme, which is aimed particularly at helping people vulnerable to domestic violence.

"Violent ex-partners can turn up - often drunk at night - at the victim's home and try to get in," said Keighley Police community safety officer Sergeant Alan Gee.

"The fear of this happening can lead to stress and anxiety so, by providing someone with a telephone, we can help reduce fear of crime and improve their quality of life."

Keighley division's existing single emergency phone of this type was in great demand, he said. The extra equipment would mean more people identified as being vulnerable would be able to borrow one to give them reassurance.

"Hopefully, victims will not need to actually use the phones but the mere fact that they can contact us will go a long way towards making them feel safer," Sergeant Gee said.

The new phones can receive incoming calls but can only be used to make emergency calls.

Domestic violence is the single largest category of violent crime, accounting for a third of all assaults across the country, and 95 per cent of the victims of domestic violence are women.

Female victims may suffer up to 35 attacks before contacting the police, and on average a victim may stay in an abusive relationship for eight to ten years before getting out, according to statistics.

In the Keighley division, 26 per cent of violent crime is domestic.

Keighley SRB community safety co-ordinator Chris Slaven said: "We support Keighley Domestic Violence Forum, which works with men as perpetrators. They must understand that domestic violence will not be tolerated in any circumstances."

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