Priti Patel has vowed to protect victims of domestic abuse who are ‘trapped’ inside during the UK coronavirus lockdown after charities reported a surge in cases.

In her first appearance at the daily Downing Street conference, the home secretary said she wanted victims to know ‘you are not alone’, as she announced a new public awareness campaign that highlights the support available.

The Home Office is working with charities and the Domestic Abuse Commissioner to provide an additional £2 million to bolster helplines and online support for those whose ‘homes are not the safe havens they should be’.

Ms Patel said the Covid-19 outbreak had ‘opened Britain’s enormous heart and shown our love and compassion for one another as we come together to help those most in need’.

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The government’s public awareness campaign uses the hashtag ‘YouAreNotAlone’ and they are asking the public to show support by sharing a photo of a heart on their palm and requesting others do the same.

While perpetrators should always be the ones to leave homes, the government is working to make sure there is refuge for victims and their children if this is not possible, Ms Patel said.

The home secretary added: ‘I am now asking this nation to use that amazing compassion and community spirit to embrace those trapped in the horrific cycle of abuse.

‘And to help us all look out for those who need help, we have created a symbol of hope – a handprint with a heart on – so that people can easily show that we will not tolerate abuse as a society, and that we stand in solidarity with victims of domestic abuse.

‘I would urge everyone to share it on social media or in the windows of your home, alongside a link to the support available, to demonstrate just how much this country cares.

‘And to show victims of domestic abuse: you are not alone.’

While crime overall has dropped as people follow advice to stay at home during the outbreak, Ms Patel said criminality continues to ‘adapt’.

Children are being exploited online, while victims of fraudsters have lost £1.8 million overall, she told the conference.

The government minister continued: ‘I want to emphasise that anybody who is a victim of these crimes can still get help.

‘Anyone in immediate danger should call 999 and press 55 on a mobile if you are unable to talk. Our outstanding police will still be there for you.’

The government’s new campaign against domestic abuse was welcomed by chief executive of Refuge Sandra Horley, who said: ‘What is needed now, more than ever, is to ensure every woman experiencing domestic abuse is aware of the confidential support available’.

However, Labour’s shadow home secretary said the measures ‘do not go anywhere near far enough to provide the emergency support necessary to sustain these vital services’.

Nick Thomas-Symonds said there needs to be ‘real cross-government collaboration to support this sector’ and this should include ‘ring-fencing some of the Chancellor’s recently announced charity funding to support domestic abuse services and the wider violence against women and girls sector’.

The new campaign will publicise the support available, including the freephone, 24-hour national domestic abuse helpline number – 0808 2000 247 – run by Refuge, and www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk.

Adverts raising awareness will appear on social media from next week and materials will be given to charities and supermarkets, while online support and messaging services will help those at risk who are unable to speak on the phone.

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