Organisations helping victims of sexual and domestic abuse in Gloucestershire will share a £167,000 windfall after a successful bid for funding by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Lockdown has brought an increase in abuse with Gloucestershire Constabulary reporting a 26 per cent increase in domestic incidents during May, compared to the same period a year ago.

For reports of sexual abuse, the figure rose by 20 per cent.

To help fight the problem and help those affected, the OPCC was granted £167, 432 after bidding for a share of £25million from the Ministry of Justice.

Commissioning manager Kirsten Fruin said: "Life in lockdown has been traumatic for hundreds of families across Gloucestershire who did not have the luxury of being safe while staying at home.

"Sadly, what we are now hearing from our colleagues in the Constabulary about a dramatic increase in the number of people reporting sexual and domestic abuse confirms some of our worst fears.

"This money will now be divided among 10 local organisations and help to ensure victims and survivors get the support they need".

Th organisations receiving a share are Gloucestershire Counselling Service, Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service, Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre Hollie Gazzard Trust, Nelson Trust, Splitz, Stroud Beresford, Teens in Crisis, Victim Support and West Mercia Women's Aid.

It is hoped the money will help cover costs incurred by adapting services to the coronavirus pandemic and cope with the increase in demand.

Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl said: "An increase in sexual and domestic abuse in the home has been one of the country's main concerns throughout the pandemic and I am sorry it's inevitable that other parts of the country will have missed out.

"I am delighted my team was able to secure such a significant share that will go towards supporting local victims and survivors who have shown the courage to come forward.

"We had no warning the MoJ was about to make this money available and my commissioning team had to react very quickly to prepare a bid."