Key 103's Clare's Law saves hundreds of lives across Greater Manchester

It's four years since the law in memory of Clare Wood was brought in following a Key 103 campaign.

Author: Amy ScarisbrickPublished 8th Mar 2018
Last updated 8th Mar 2018

Key 103's Clare's Law has saved more than 200 people from domestic abuse in Greater Manchester in the last 12 months.

It's exactly fours years ago since the law was brought in thanks to a Key 103 campaign.

Clare’s Law is in memory of Clare Wood who was murdered by her former partner in Salford in 2009.

Her partner had three previous convictions under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Clare's Law now gives people who suspect their partners of having a violent past, their friends, families and authorities the opportunity to apply for information about the person they are in a relationship with. These are known as ‘right to ask’ and ‘right to know’ applications.

Over the last 12 months (January 2017 – January 2018) there have been 554 applications made under ‘right to know’ and ‘right to ask’ in Greater Manchester alone.

Out of those applications, there have been 227 disclosures made.

Detective Superintendent Denise Worth from Greater Manchester Police said: “This simple yet important application puts control in your hands and allows you to think about your decisions and make a choice suitable for you.

“By providing victims with the power to regain control of their lives we only hope that more can then go on to have a safe and happy future.”

Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Bev Hughes, said: “Clare’s Law is an empowering tool that is giving the public the confidence to ask questions about their own or a loved one’s relationship. That it has saved 227 people from a potential lifetime of abuse in the last 12 months alone is a lasting legacy for Clare Wood, and sends a strong message that Greater Manchester takes a zero tolerance approach to domestic abuse.

For further information about the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, or to make a request for information under it, you can visit www.gmp.police.uk/clareslaw. You can also visit your nearest police station. All an applicant will need to do is provide the name, address and date of birth of the victim and police will make initial checks to establish if there are any immediate concerns.