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Domestic violence pilot starts in Greater Manchester and Notts

Scheme already running in Wiltshire and Gwent

A pilot scheme under which people can ascertain from police whether their partner has a history of domestic violence is being extended today to Greater Manchester and Nottinghamshire. The pilot has been running in Wiltshire and Gwent since mid-July.

The scheme, termed Clare's Law by the press, follows the campaign launched by the father of Clare Wood who was murdered in February 2009 by George Appleton whom she met through Facebook. It transpired that, unknown to her, he had a record of domestic violence against previous partners.

The Home Office announced the trials in March. They will run in all four regions until September 2013.

The Home Secretary, Theresa May said in October 2011:

"This scheme would be based on recognised and consistent processes that could enable new partners of previously violent suspects to know more about their partner's history of abuse. 

"They could then make informed choices about how and whether they take that relationship forward."