POLICE want to place CCTV cameras inside the homes of battered wives to catch Lancashire’s worst repeat offenders.

The pilot project has been welcomed by campaigners who said the devices would record vital evidence ‘capturing pictures that tell a thousand words’.

Other measures proposed in £105,000 package to protect domestic violence victims include high-tech mobile phone-sized alarms containing GPS technology.

These would allow police to know the exact location of a victim in need.

It comes as charities report an increase in incidents in East Lancashire this year, which was put down to job losses resulting from the economic slump.

Bosses hope the trial, which will be rolled out across the county if it is a success, well help cut the estimated £158million annual cost of domestic violence.

The impact on Lancashire’s public services, including the NHS, police and social services is £85million, while sickness absence related to domestic violence costs employers £73million, according to council bosses.

Detective Superintendent Ian Critchley said: “Domestic abuse is a cowardly, deplorable crime and we will always take positive action to ensure that offenders face justice for their actions.”

The police have been given a £105,000 contribution towards the cost of the ‘victim support and protection package’ by Lancashire County Council.

A police report said the cameras would be for people at ‘high risk of stalking and harassment’ and would help tackle the ‘silent nature’ of domestic violence.

Being attacked and feeling isolated in their own home ‘maximises’ their victimisation, meaning many crimes are not reported, the report said.

It adds: “By being able to install recording equipment in victims houses who are deemed to be at high risk we not only could seek to protect, capture evidence and reassure but we may ultimately restore sufficient faith in the protection we offer to ensure victims report and cooperate.”

Cameras would be overt, rather than hidden, to comply with snooping regulations.

The person would tell visitors to their home about the cameras so they can choose not to be recorded.

Police admit there is a risk that the cameras will be damaged by the attacker, but believe when they are already inside the house and ‘intent on causing harm’ many will take no notice.

If the pilot was successful, police will look into ‘adopting this practice force wide as best practice’, the report said.

Vivien Blackledge, who runs the Women’s Aid refuge in Blackburn, said: “Having internal CCTV would be a very positive and proactive step forward.

“It will show the effect on the family, and the state of the house. There is so much pressure put on victims’ statements, but those pictures would say a thousand words to the court by giving a picture of what was happening and would help address repeat victimisation.

“Abusive partners tend to be quite manipulative, and able to turn on the charm. But a camera wouldn’t lie.”

As well as convicting the abusers, the measure would ‘most definitely’ make women feel safer in their homes, Ms Blackledge added.

She also revealed there had been an 11 per cent increase in reported incidents in the first two months of this year compared to 2010.

More women are reporting ‘financial abuse’ including theft of their earnings and benefits, she said.

“The spending review and redundancies are putting more pressure on families,” she added.

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson said: “There’s no easy solution to domestic violence. This won’t be ideal in every case, but it sounds like a good idea.”

Officers already wear body cameras when attending domestic violence callouts.