More than £20,000 has been set aside by Wiltshire County Council to support adults and young people affected by domestic violence, thanks to extra Government funding.

The county council will work with the four community safety partnerships in Wiltshire to tackle problems caused by domestic violence.

Some of the £21,000 funding will enable the Domestic Violence Intervention Partnership to increase support and help for victims and their families.

Around £1,500 will provide alarms for victims who are vulnerable to a repeat attack in their homes, and more than £2,000 will be used for a voluntary agency to run a programme for perpetrators.

Another £1,200 will go towards counselling for young people affected by domestic violence.

Last year 5942 incidents of domestic abuse were reported in Swindon and Wiltshire and 15 per cent were repeat offenders.

Pippa McVeigh, the county council's community safety manager, said: "This funding will enable partner agencies to deliver even better support to the individuals affected."