VICTIMS of domestic violence will find help arriving at their door with an initiative aimed at tackling the growing problem of abuse in the home.

Staff at North Tees Women's Aid, in Stockton, will accompany police officers in the town next month, when they are called out to incidents of domestic abuse.

Once police have removed the attacker, volunteers will offer the victim support and inform him or her of the services available.

Operation Outreach was piloted in Hartlepool in February and proved such a success that it is now being adopted in Stockton.

Andrea Rutter, outreach manager at Women's Aid, said: "Once the police have removed the perpetrator, provided the victim is willing, we will then go in and offer them advice and support on what their options are. This gives us the opportunity to speak to the victim while they are still in crisis.

"After the event, a lot of victims don't seek help because they are not aware of the services available to them."

The agency is also planning to work with nursing staff in the accident and emergency department of the University Hospital of North Tees to talk to victims as they are taken in with injuries.

Acting Inspector Keith Daley said: "This is an excellent opportunity for the Women's Aid support workers to see first hand what these women go through and how the police handle these situations."

* Women's Aid can be contacted on (01429) 890558, Stockton Refuge is available on (01642) 553323, and Doves Outreach can be reached on (01642) 733056.