VICTIMS of domestic violence will be given mobile phones by police after a deal struck with Trowbridge-based Virgin Mobile.

Each police force in the country will be given 50 free phones by Virgin Mobile to hand out to people affected by domestic violence.

The firm, which has its headquarters on the White Horse Business Park, originally gave out 50 phones to Wiltshire Police.

Now it has agreed to extend the deal to all 43 forces in England and Wales.

In Wiltshire the phones will go to domestic violence victims considered to be most at risk.

Victims will have to keep the phone on at all times and agree to give the operator their name and location if they need to call 999.

The announcement comes just months after Wiltshire Police were criticised for failing a pregnant woman who was killed by her Portuguese ex-boyfriend a week after making a complaint of assault against him.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission drew up a list of recommendations for Wiltshire Police following the murder of Hayley Richards in Trowbridge in June 2005.

Chief Constable Martin Richards said domestic violence was a priority for the force.

Kelly Barnett, Wiltshire Police business development officer, said the phones would help protect vulnerable members of the community.

She said: "Mobile phone technology offers a real benefit to victims of domestic violence. We will be loaning these phones to vulnerable people who will then be able to contact the police quickly and in complete confidence. It will make a significant impact on our work with vulnerable victims throughout the county,"

Wiltshire Police community safety officer Inspector Nick Bancroft said: "The safety of domestic violence victims is of paramount important to us and anything we can do to enhance their safety is to be welcomed."

Jenni Manners, the manager of Swindon Women's Refuge, said: "Research shows that in Wiltshire each year there are more than 30,000 incidents of domestic violence.

"The phones will provide a safety net, increasing victims' security and the options and choices available to them.

"It is true to say these phones could be literally a life-saving device."

Lisa Cogdell-Brown, from Virgin Mobile in Trowbridge said: "Domestic violence is an area that affects many people, from all walks of life, and this is a practical and straightforward way for Virgin Mobile to be involved and to help the local community."