Cumbria's police force has secured almost £200,000 worth of funding to tackle domestic abuse and another fund to address sexual abuse.

The new investment for the area was revealed this week at a Police and Crime Panel meeting.

A total of £189,000 has been secured to support victims of domestic violence, with the office of Police and Crime Commissioner's Peter McCall successfully receiving £140,000 to help a rape support fund.

A new recovery fund has also been launched by the commissioner.

Barrow councillor Bill McEwan, who sits on the crime panel, explained: "Cumbria Police have secured £189,000 from the Ministry of Justice to support domestic violence victims.

"The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner was also successful in a bid sent into the rape support fund, securing the county force £140,000, to fund two additional independent domestic and sexual violence advisors.

"The commissioner has also launched a Covid-19 Community Recovery Fund, which is open to community groups to help them manage new issues arising in the light of the Coronavirus pandemic."

Figures from Cumbria currently show that there are over 17 incidents of domestic abuse every day across the county.

Almost half of the incidents involve people who have experienced domestic violence in the past.

Earlier this year police in Cumbria issued a message, urging male victims of domestic violence to come forward and get the help they need.