Free emergency essentials kits for people fleeing domestic abuse have been packed by Deputy Commissioner Marianne Kimani and delivered by the team from Amazon in Daventry, in partnership with The Multibank charity.
The Multibank has provided 30 bags to Northamptonshire Police who will issue them to people who have had to leave their homes at short notice. Police forces are often the first point of contact for people impacted by domestic abuse.
The kits contain new mobile phones with credit, toiletries, including sanitary towels, toothbrushes and toothpaste, non-perishable snacks, emergency children’s items, notebooks, writing materials, a whistle, and a mini torch. Amazon sourced the items and packed the kits in partnership with The Multibank.
Detective Superintendent Joe Banfield and Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Marianne Kimani recently joined neighbourhood police officers at the Daventry warehouse to personally thank the Amazon team for their support, and to help pack some of the bags.
Detective Superintendent Joe Banfield said: “This is a terrific initiative by Amazon and The Multibank, we are very grateful for these emergency bags. They will be hugely beneficial. Sometimes individuals need to leave an abusive environment quickly without the opportunity to take anything with them and may not be able to return later – so the items donated will provide immediate support and dignity to those fleeing.
“In some domestic abuse cases we need to download a victim’s phone to obtain evidence, and this means taking the phone for a period of time to allow this to happen.
“This always has to be balanced with the fact we need victims to have an ability to communicate with us, support groups, their families and their friends, so the phones contained within these bags will be a significant benefit to victims, a real lifeline and will ensure they don’t feel isolated. “
Marianne Kimani, Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire, said: “These emergency kits will provide practical support to someone fleeing their home, with basic items that will give them dignity at a difficult time.
“I’m grateful to Amazon and The Multibank for this practical initiative and for rolling it out in Northamptonshire. Tackling violence against women and girls and making them safer is one of our top priorities, and this scheme is a very useful addition to our wider commitment to support victims of violence and abuse.”
If you’re experiencing domestic abuse, Northamptonshire Police want you to know that they are there to listen to you and support you. Report non-emergency crime and information via 101 or online at www.northants.police.uk/RO. In an emergency, always call 999.
If you’re not ready to speak to the police, there is a whole range of external organisations who can offer support and guidance.
You can find a full list of those organisations here . You can also visit www.voicenorthants.org or call Voice on 0300 303 1965 for free, confidential support.
