Force sees rise in domestic abuse history requests

More people are applying to find out about their partner's potential previous abusive or violent offending, a police force has said.

Clare's Law, also known as the domestic violence disclosure scheme, gives people the right to ask police to release information about any previous history of violence or abuse.

Figures from Cleveland Police showed increase of almost 15% in year-on-year requests for information.

Ch Insp Colin Helyer said the figures were "encouraging" and suggested more people were becoming aware of Clare's Law and how it could be used.

Members of the public can apply for information about a current or ex-partner they have contact with, or a current or ex-partner of a friend or relative, known as the 'right to ask'.

Helyer said: "Greater awareness means more opportunities to identify risk, provide support and help prevent domestic abuse before it escalates."

The number of applications received by Cleveland Police in the 12 months from June last year rose from 2,472 to 2,837, a 14.8% increase.

However the disclosure rate – the proportion of requests for information which resulted in a disclosure about an individual – fell from 41.1% to 33%.

The force said eligibility checks are carried out for all requests and in about two thirds of applications, there was no lawful, necessary or proportionate disclosure that could be made, or the requester disengaged from the process before information was released.

Domestic violence-related offences account for more than one in 10 reported crimes in the Cleveland Police area and have increased by 2.8% in the same period, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Helyer said not all requests would result in a disclosure, and each application was subject to "strict legal and safeguarding criteria".

"Every application is assessed carefully by specially trained officers," Helyer said.

"Where there is information that needs to be shared to help protect someone from harm, we will ensure it is disclosed appropriately and safely.

"We would encourage anyone with a worry or concern about an individual they are in a relationship with, to make that request."

Clare's Law is named after Clare Wood, 36, who was murdered in Salford in 2009 by ex-partner George Appleton, whose criminal background was kept confidential due to data protection restrictions.

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