Two domestic violence incidents each week prove fatal

The Domestic Violence Positive Action Kit includes a small plinth-based unit similar to an answering machine and a radio trigger that can worn by victims of abuse.

Victims can discreetly trigger an alert to police and emergency services if they are attacked.

Domestic violence is a growing problem in the UK with 830 incidents reported every day. Two attacks every week prove fatal.

The DVPAK has a range of sensors including a fall detector, movement detector and even a button that can be used if a bogus caller comes to the door.

Life-saver

Tunstall alarms provide a practical and effective response, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of victims and their children Joyce Green, Lancashire Constabulary

When activated it transmits details of the victim's history to police officers to help them deal with the situation when they arrive at the scene.

The alarm is also equipped with a recording device that can let police know what is happening to the victim and can also be used as evidence if a case goes to court.

The device, designed by security monitor manufacturer Tunstall, has been trialled by the Lancashire police force since 2001 and the firm is in discussion with all 43 police forces across the UK about deploying it nationwide.

"It allows potential victims to feel safer," explained Kevin Avery, product manager at Tunstall.

It has also proved an invaluable tool to the police in Lancashire.

"Our approach to domestic violence in Lancashire is to protect, prevent and enforce. Tunstall alarms provide a practical and effective response, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of victims and their children," said Joyce Green, Lancashire Constabulary's Domestic Violence co-ordinator.

One woman, whose partner was on bail following a charge of sexual assault, found that the DVPAK she had been given became a life-saver.

Fearing further attacks the woman had started sleeping with the device on her wrist.

When her former partner broke into her home, bringing with him a knife, plastic ties and surgical gloves and demanding their eldest son bring a tape recorder to record her final words, she activated the trigger.