Officers support abuse victims with 'grab bags'

As well as food and clothing basics for adults, the grab bags also include items for children

Cambridgeshire Police is supporting victims of domestic abuse with emergency "grab bags" filled with clothes and essentials.

Tesco and Amazon have donated items including mobile phones with credit, toothbrushes, toiletries and snacks - which have so far filled 80 bags.

Shauna Wiles, the force's early intervention domestic abuse (EIDA) adviser, based in the force's Demand Hub, said: "I am delighted with the response, I didn't expect we would receive so much. It's so generous of them. It will make such a difference having that additional practical support."

All bags will be distributed to Peterborough, March, Wisbech, Huntingdon, Ely and Cambridge police stations.

They will also be given to the Elms Sexual Assault Referral Centre at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon.

Wiles was inspired by Huntingdonshire District Council's similar scheme for victims escaping abuse after which she appealed for donations.

"I read about it in a VAWG [violence against women and girls] newsletter, and I remembered an incident where we helped a woman in Peterborough, who had gone through such an ordeal," said Ms Wiles, who is based at Cambridgeshire Police's Demand Hub.

"She had escaped from her abuser - but he had taken her phone.

"The victim had nothing. Often victims leave dangerous situations with just the clothes on their backs.

"To be able to give that extra practical help to victims having to escape at short notice would really help."

A number of bags have also been donated for the children of victims, which include colouring books, crayons and playing cards.

Some will also include a soft toy knitted by call handler Annabel Evans, who is also based in the Demand Hub, which is part of the police control room.

Cambridgeshire Police have called it a "fantastic initiative" to boost support for abuse victims

Det Ch Insp Dave Taylor, who has helped to distribute the bags, said: "This is a fantastic scheme which will boost the support we provide to victims of domestic abuse who have to leave an unsafe environment.

"Shauna's efforts have been outstanding — going above and beyond her role on the EIDA desk, showing a genuine desire to help victims.

"This initiative will support front-line officers in providing quick-time emergency support for victims and their children."