Pharmacies across Coalville, Ibstock and North West Leicestershire are supporting a new domestic abuse scheme which allows victims to discreetly signal that they are in danger.

North West Leicestershire District Council is working in partnership with more than 80 per cent of pharmacies across the district who have signed up to take part in the Ask for ANI (Action Needed Immediately) scheme.

Domestic abuse victims will be able to 'Ask for ANI' as a codeword to signal to pharmacists that they need help.

Staff members will then offer to take the victim to a consultation room to check if they need a police response or help contacting a helpline or specialist support service.

Participating pharmacies include:

• Boots, New Broadway, Coalville

• Lloyds Pharmacy, Whitwick Road Surgery, Coalville

• Well Pharmacy, Long Lane, Coalville

• Masons, Belvoir Road, Coalville

• Masons, Grange Road, Hugglescote

• Masons, North Street, Whitwick

• Listers, High Street, Ibstock

• Brennans Pharmacy, High Street, Ibstock

Along with:

• Boots, Market Street, Ashby

• Tesco, Resolution Road, Ashby

• Ashby Pharmacy, The Green, Ashby

• Dean & Smedley, High Street, Measham

• Evans Pharmacy, Borough Street, Castle Donington

Pharmacies taking part will display posters in their windows and around the pharmacy to let customers know that they can approach staff members for help. The scheme officially goes live on April 19.

Emma Knight, Health and Wellbeing Team Leader at North West Leicestershire District Council, said: "The Ask for ANI scheme is a great opportunity to raise awareness around domestic abuse and provide vulnerable victims with a lifeline to get access to emergency support.

"We're working with a number of pharmacies across North West Leicestershire who are keen to help make a difference and provide victims with the support that they need.

"There's still time for pharmacies to sign up so if sounds like something you would like to support, get in touch for more information."

Emma is the co-ordinator for North West Leicestershire and pharmacists can contact her at [email protected]