PANIC rooms are set to be installed in the homes of domestic violence victims in Worcester.

The rooms - made famous in the Jodie Foster film of the same name - will have alarms, mortice locks, reinforced doors, emergency lighting and CCTV.

They will also be flagged on police computers to ensure a swift response if an incident occurs.

The safe rooms are part of a sanctuary scheme' set up by Worcester City Council to help give victims of domestic violence, whose partners no longer live with them, confidence and security to stay in their own home.

One house in Worcester is so far in line for reinforced doors and extra locks, but the council anticipates that it will offer 10 to 12 safe rooms per year. Kate Bailey, principal strategic housing officer, said: "The council takes its housing responsibilities very seriously and we are constantly striving to help those suffering from domestic violence.

"The sanctuary scheme is about being able to offer another option to those people in vulnerable situations, for example home-owners or those with teenage children for whom being placed in a refuge is not practical. Re-housing or placing in temporary accommodation will, however, continue to be used in many cases of domestic violence."

But the scheme has been met with some scepticism from domestic violence experts in Worcester.

Charlotte Woodward, from Women's Aid, said: "I welcome it as an option for women - anything that can keep families safe and in their own home is great. But if a woman is so unsafe that a safe room is required then they need to get out."

Across Worcestershire, district councils have rehoused more than 80 victims of domestic violence in the past two years.