VICTIMS of domestic abuse are to get mobile phones to alert police to possible attacks.

North Kent police hope the 20 telephones will enable both men and women who are physically abused by their partners to dial 999 in emergency situations.

The pay-as-you-talk phones were donated by Vodafone after Special Constable Terry Connolly, who works for the company, was contacted by the domestic violence unit.

Unit spokesman Detective Sergeant Louise Hunter said: "It is important these people have access to a phone to alert police. Many victims do not have access to a telephone or it is denied to them by the perpetrator."

The mobiles will be available to victims classed as high risk who do not have access to a phone.

In the past year, the unit dealt with between 250 and 350 male and female victims a month.