A NEW initiative has been launched to provide support to victims of domestic violence on Teesside over the festive season.

Operation Outreach involves domestic violence outreach workers from the Safer Hartlepool Partnership accompanying police officers to incidents.

Such is their dedication to the project that Lesley Gibson, director of North Tees Women's Aid, is working on Christmas Day.

Operation Outreach will run until January 1 and will cover the most stressful periods, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

The service provided by the outreach workers is confidential, and can range from organising refuge accommodation to simply offering a shoulder to cry on. It is available to both men and women.

Domestic violence outreach manager Lisa Benson said: "We are pleased to be working on Operation Outreach in conjunction with Hartlepool police.

"It is important for people to realise that we are available all year round and can provide ongoing practical and emotional support."

Acting Inspector Tony Green, of Hartlepool police, said: "This is an excellent initiative and has provided immediate results for families suffering the trauma of domestic violence.

"The police contain the scene and make arrests where necessary, and the outreach workers then provide an impressive range of support to the victims. This helps the victims and frees up valuable police time."

Operation Outreach was deemed so successful when first staged in February that external force auditors thought it worthy of adoption nationally as an example of best practice.

Also involved in the initiative is the Middlesbrough-based charity My Sister's Place, Hartlepool Victim Support and the Stockton, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool women's refuges.

A telephone crisis line - (01429) 890558 - will also be available on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 10am to 2pm, to provide added advice and support.