NEW technology to increase the protection and security of domestic abuse victims has been welcomed by a Barnsley support group.

South Yorkshire Police is rolling out the TecSOS system, which gives high-risk victims of domestic abuse a device that, when activated, offers an immediate connection to the police emergency control room 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Kathy Huckle, an independent domestic and sexual violence adviser at Barnsley's Pathways Family Support Centre, Peel Parade, welcomes the new alarms but warned it is still 'early days' for the technology.

She said: "While they do not guarantee that the perpetrator will keep away from them (domestic abuse victims), it enables clients to go out and carry on their daily activities with less fear knowing that they can trigger the alarm and get help."

Kathy said domestic abuse is a 'vastly under reported crime', especially if it is emotional, sexual or financial.

"A woman can be physically assaulted approximately 35 times before they report to police. Only women who report to police will receive the TecSOS alarm system," she said.

It works by a person's name and full case details being entered into the police's intelligence system when the victim is given the device. These details are immediately available to emergency call handlers when the system is activated.

Even in a silent call situation, these details are passed to officers and the call is flagged for immediate response.

Police said the device can save valuable response time in locating high-risk victims, and significantly reduce the levels of fear perceived by victims.