Wiltshire Police ‘really sorry’ for failings affecting people at risk of domestic abuse

A police force has said it is “genuinely sorry” after failing to disclose information which could have protected those most at risk of domestic violence.

Clare’s Law allows anyone to ask if their current or former partner has a history of violent or abusive behaviour.

The scheme also encourages officers to proactively contact people who may be at risk of domestic abuse – and tell them about their partner’s record.

But Wiltshire Police confirmed that some of those who made a claim were not given information that could have protected them.

Now, more than 3,500 applications submitted between April 2015 and August 2023 are under urgent audit.

Of these, information ended up being disclosed in 1,195 cases.

The concerns relate to the work of a member of police staff who is currently under investigation and suspended from the force.

Chief Constable Catherine Roper said Wiltshire Police will try to contact those who may be in danger – and anyone in immediate danger should call 999.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to apologize from the bottom of my heart on behalf of the organization to anyone I’ve let down,” she added.

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A spokesman for the Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed it was investigating allegations that a member of staff at Wiltshire Police “failed to comply with the requirements of Clare’s Law”.

Police records are checked to determine whether claims have been dealt with in accordance with local and national policies – and the staff member’s training history is also examined.

Clare’s Law – which was introduced in England and Wales in 2014 – is named after Clare Wood, who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend George Appleton in 2009.

An inquest into her death revealed that Appleton had a history of violent behavior against women but was not informed because of a loophole in the Data Protection Act.

Clare’s father, Michael Brown, successfully campaigned for the law to be changed.