WILTSHIRE Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson spoke to more than 500 WI members at Salisbury’s City Hall recently.

The safety of vulnerable women was top of his personal agenda, he said.

He was able to highlight projects designed, in particular, to help those living in fear of domestic violence.

The Commissioner said he had set up projects designed to safeguard women, with funds allocated from his annual budget of £105 million.

He told the packed meeting of the Wiltshire Federation of WIs about two pilot schemes he has created, one being the appointment of an independent domestic violence advisor, based in the Great Western Hospital, and the other an advisor working closely with GPs.

He said: “Victims do turn up at accident and emergency clinics with injuries sustained at the hands of their partner or ex-partner and will tell hospital staff what has happened; likewise in maternity units.

“Having an advisor at the hospital will give victims a chance to access confidential support services without their partner finding out.”