KNITTED police officer teddy bears are being handed out to children involved in incidents of domestic abuse.

The bears, some of which are knitted by Alresford volunteers, were first used in February. They are given to children by officers to help communicate with them and break down barriers that can exist when police attend after a domestic incident.

Sergeant Deborah Ashthorpe said: “We want to make children safer, we want to give them a voice and ensure they are included when we have to attend a domestic abuse incident in their home.

“Domestic abuse can have devastating effects on children and they need to be properly spoken to and safeguarded. We also don’t want them to think we’re scary or be afraid of us, now or in the future. The bears give us something tangible to hand over and talk about, to break down barriers, and engage with the young child.”

The New Alresford Women’s Institute has donated a number of police dolls to the force.

President Pauline Mason said: “As a WI group we decided to provide all of the emergency services with a few appropriate toys which my colleague recently handed over, the police officer dolls being part of this.

“Our Knit, Stitch and Natter group also make various articles for other worthy causes, and all of this is made possible by donations of materials by our members. The Alresford ladies are thrilled that the police and children are so pleased with the toys and we will continue to make as many as are needed.”