Clare's Law To Be Rolled Out Across Britain In Bid To Curb Domestic Violence

Clare's Law To Be Rolled Out Across Britain
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Clare's Law, a pilot scheme designed to protect people from domestic violence, is to be rolled out nationwide after a 12-month trial.

The law was trialled for from September 2012 to allow individuals to check police records to see if a partner has a violent past.

It was named after Clare Wood, 36, who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend George Appleton at her home in Salford in February 2009.

The mother of one had met Appleton on Facebook, unaware of his history of violence against women including repeated harassment, threats and the knifepoint kidnapping of another ex-girlfriend.

The law is expected to take effect from March.

Home Secretary Theresa May told The Sun that 88 women were killed by a violent partner or ex-partner last year, and said there was "considerable confusion" about when or if police can share information on someone's violent past with the public.

She said: "Domestic abuse shatters lives - Clare's Law provides people with the information they need to escape an abusive situation before it ends in tragedy.

"The national scheme will ensure that more people can make informed decisions about their relationship and escape if necessary. This is an important step towards ensuring we do better by women like Clare Wood in the future."

The pilot scheme ran in Greater Manchester, Gwent, Wiltshire and Nottingham, where The Sun said around 400 women were given information.