Clare's Law: More individuals being told about partner's violent past across Bucks, Beds and Herts
Clare's Law is designed to let people know if their new partner has a history of abuse
More people across the Thames Valley, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire are being told about a partner's violent history through Clare's Law.
In a 12 month period from March 2023, a total 1,113 disclosures were made of a person's abusive history under the 'Right to Ask' and 'Right to Know' in the Thames Valley, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
That's a total of 325 disclosures provided by Thames Valley Police, 257 by Bedfordshire Police, and 531 by Hertfordshire Police.
Under Clare's Law you have a "Right to Ask" if your partner has an abusive past, and you also have a "Right to Know" if authorities like the Police have information that you could be at risk as a result of entering the relationship.
Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley, Matthew Barber, said: "I think it's a helpful tool, and I know the force hasn't performed as well as I would want them to in recent years, so I've asked the chief to review that.
"We're going to be producing some new figures early next year to to see how those improvements to the process have gone to make sure that we're processing those applications more speedily.
"Aside from the Claire's law, work has been done around Project Vigilant, a real focus on the most dangerous individuals who we know will offend against either the same victim many times or or multiple victim, so wherever possible, the focus from policing will be on those most dangerous perpetrators."
FearFree CEO Debbie Beadle told Greatest Hits Radio that the drop in recorded incidents is a positive sign - but she still has concerns.
She said: "The referrals are still coming in. We're seeing increasing referrals and my concern would be that people are not coming forward and reporting for many reason, whether that's at they are not aware about reporting, they maybe have lost trust in police or other services for for many reasons or they feel that they're not going to be heard.
"I think we still need to be really pushing and raising awareness so that people know that they can come forward and come to the police and it'll be responded to."
She's urging anyone with concerns to use Clare's Law to help keep themselves safe.
"If people are using Claire's law, that's fantastic. It's a tool that they can use and more, more people using that to try and keep themselves or their loved ones safe. So it's really important.
"For anybody who's worried or individuals that worried, please use Claire's law. It's a tool that's there to help you to support you, to keep you safe," Debbie said.
Clare's Law data for 2024
Nationally, data from the Office for National Statistics show an increase in both "Right to Ask" and "Right to Know" disclosures in the last 12 months to March:
- 9,057 disclosures we made under Right to Know, up from 7,609 the previous year
- 15,448 disclosures were made under Right to Ask, up from 9829 in 2023.
This marks a 40.5% increase in disclosures overall - a huge increase in the number of people being warned about their partner's violent or abusive past.
Listen: Clare's Law Podcast
Since Clare's Law was set up 10 years ago, countless lives have been saved.
In our Clare's Law podcast on Rayo, we find out how the death of Clare Wood led to a change in the law and meet people who've escaped abusive relationships, campaigned against domestic violence, and used Clare's Law to help save lives.
What is Clare's Law?
The scheme was set up in memory of 36-year-old Clare Wood, who was brutally murdered by ex-boyfriend George Appleton in Salford in 2009.
It later emerged George had an extensive criminal past - something Clare didn't know about.
After her death Clare's dad Michael Brown, Salford MP Hazel Blears and {{StationName}} journalist Michelle Livesey led a campaign calling for a change in the law.
In 2014 - they succeeded with the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme being introduced.
For the first time, Clare's Law allowed people to seek answers about their partners' previous criminal convictions, something that could prevent them from becoming victims of domestic abuse.
Since then, the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme has been rolled out UK-wide, with similar initiatives introduced in places as far away as Canada and Australia.
Clare's legacy has seen millions of people given access to empowering and potentially life-saving information worldwide.
How can I apply to Clare's Law?
Under Clare's Law you can:
- apply for information about your current or ex-partner because you're worried they may have a history of abuse and are a risk to you
- request information about the current or ex-partner of a friend or relative because you're worried they might be at risk
You can make an application through your local police force.
If someone is in immediate danger, contact 999.