Clare's Law: Warnings issued about abusive partners in West Midlands rise 39% in a year

There's been a huge increase in the number of people being warned their partner has a history of abuse, according to new figures.

Stats show a 39% increase in disclosures under Clare's Law - a scheme that lets you check on a partner's past.

Under Clare's Law you have a "Right to Ask" so that you may learn if your partner has an abusive past, and you also have a "Right to Know", which means if authorities like the police have information that could potentially see you at risk if you enter into a relationship with someone, they must share it.

Clare's Law data for 2024

Data from the Office for National Statistics show an increase in both "Right to Ask" and "Right to Know" disclosures in the West Midlands in the last 12 months to March

• 590 disclosures we made under Right to Know, up from 214 the previous year
• 1,930 disclosures were made under Right to Ask, up from 773 in 2023.

This marks a 39.4% increase in disclosures overall - a huge increase in the number of people being warned about their partner's violent or abusive past.

Furthermore, 402 people across Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin have been told their partner has a history of violence in the space of a year.

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 Greatest Hits 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.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.