The crime reduction partnership is campaigning to end abuse

A crime reduction partnership in Reading, Berkshire, is appealing for people to donate their old phones so they can be converted.

The partnership, made up of Reading Borough Council, Thames Valley Police and Berkshire Women's Aid, is supporting a campaign by the Body Shop.

Phones are being collected at Reading's Civic Centre and police station.

'Make a difference'

The converted phones will have a one-touch dial service to the emergency services and can receive incoming calls "for added reassurance".

Phones that cannot be converted will be recycled and the cash raised will go towards the fund.

Councillor Viki Lloyd, lead councillor for community action, said one in four women in the UK experience domestic violence in their lifetime and two are killed every week as a result.

"In Reading we are determined to make a difference and make homes safer for women and children," she said.