Northumbria Police has handed over £9,000 to pay for the setting up of the Northumbria Domestic Abuse Helpline.

The independent helpline, which is running throughout the 'End the silence' campaign, was paid for with charitable contributions from members of the Northumbria Police Dining Club, their friends and business associates. A total of £9,000 was raised in a charity auction and raffle which had a new Nissan Note* car as top prize.

The low call rate helpline - 0800 066 5555 - is available to callers from throughout Tyne and Wear and Northumberland as an alternative to seeking direct police assistance. Between December 1 - 31, the line received 188 calls for help. Both male and female victims can use the service whcih is staffed by Wearside Women in Need.

Assistant Chief Constable Kevin Mathieson said: " We wanted the fundraising to help make a difference for victims of domestic abuse and the helpline is a tangible way of doing that. We are keen for victims to get support before their situation escalates into violence.

" I'm very grateful to everyone who bought raffle tickets and donated prizes and to Wearside Women in Need for extending their service throughout Northumberland and Tyne and Wear during the campaign."

Mr Mathieson added: " Domestic abuse experts believe that early intervention can prevent behaviour deteriorating into violence and we hope this helpline will give victims the opportunity to start to change their lives.

"I want to encourage anyone who knows of a family member, friend or neighbour who is suffering in silence to get in touch with either police or the helpline so that we can do something for them.

" We need to end the silence around domestic abuse. It's not necessary to wait until a relationship descends into violence before seeking help."

Mr Mathieson hopes that funding will be available to maintain the helpline beyond the duration of the campaign.