Wiltshire Police examine domestic violence disclosures under Clare’s Law

A police force urgently examines every claim received under the Clare’s Law domestic violence disclosure scheme over an eight-year period.

Wiltshire Police said it was “genuinely sorry” as it announced more than 3,500 claims, made between April 2015 and August 2023, were now being reviewed.

The review follows concerns about disclosures made under Clare’s Law by a Wiltshire Police staff member who is currently suspended from the force.

A small number of applications, including those where some detail was provided, have already been reviewed and found to include non-disclosure of information to those at risk of domestic violence.

Chief constable Catherine Roper, who apologized for the failures, said the force would try to contact anyone it believed to be at risk.

She said: “Having already reviewed a small number of these applications, we know there have been some failures to disclose information that could have protected those most at risk of domestic violence.

“For that, I am truly sorry.”

The force made a voluntary referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) earlier this year about concerns about the staff member.

That member of staff has been served with a Notice of Inquiry by the IOPC and is currently under suspension.

An independent investigation into the matter, as well as concerns subsequently identified by Wiltshire Police, is being undertaken by the IOPC.

Ms Roper added: “As we work to fully understand the scale of these failures, fully supporting the IOPC’s independent inquiry, it is vital that we are honest and transparent with our communities and that is why we are contacting you to explain the current situation.

“We are now carrying out an urgent audit of Clare Law claims made to us since April 2015 when the member of staff started working in this department.

“The total number of applications to us between April 2015 and the end of August 2023 is just over 3,500.”

Of the 3,500 requests, information was disclosed in 1,195 cases.

Under the scheme, information is disclosed in two processes – the right to ask and the right to know.

The Right to Ask allows people to request information about a current or former partner if they are concerned they may have a history of abuse and are a risk.

The right to know process is when the police or a partner agency come across information that points to a person at risk of domestic abuse.

Ms Roper added: “We have allocated dedicated resources to review every claim made to us since April 2015.

“Where we feel there is any risk to any person, we will try to contact applicants.

“While the IOPC carries out its independent investigation based on the referrals we have made so far, we will consider making further submissions to them as we work on our assessment.

“I am asking our communities to trust us by accepting that we have already identified a failure in our service.

“We’ve implemented more control than we’ve ever had in this area of ​​our business. Please continue to talk to us if you have any concerns or information about people at risk of domestic abuse.

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

Philip Wilkinson, Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire, said he was “appalled” by the failures and called for those responsible to be held to account.

He said: “These failures by Wiltshire Police to do their duty – to the best of their ability – and protect those at risk of domestic or sexual violence are truly shocking. There are no words to express how horrified I am.

“Whilst I commend the Chief Constable of Wiltshire for her open and honest approach in informing our communities about this and her subsequent apology, I am horrified at the prospect that there may be more victims of domestic or sexual assault who may have be protected by force beforehand. .

“My primary concern is for any victims – or potential victims. The Chief Constable and I agree that the need to provide immediate advice, support and protection as required is of the utmost importance.

“Anyone who thinks they may be affected should follow the force’s instructions and contact them immediately, especially if they feel they are in immediate danger.

“Quite simply, this is a tragic consequence of an organization which, some time before our current chief constable, was not functioning adequately in many areas.

“While I will not comment on the details of this independent referral from the IOPC, I would like to make it very, very clear that I expect this investigation to uncover all those responsible for this identified organizational failure – across management and other staff who have held roles of supervision and oversight during the time frame – to be held accountable for their actions or lack thereof.”

Anyone who made a claim under Clare’s Law, the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), between April 2015 and August 2023 can contact the force directly by emailing [email protected].

The force urged anyone in immediate danger to call 999.

It added that people considering making a new application under Clare’s Law can still do so, with the force able to process new applications.

An IOPC spokesman said: “We can confirm that we are independently investigating allegations that a member of staff at Wiltshire Police failed to comply with the requirements of Clare’s Act (Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme) in dealing with a number of claims .

“Our investigation began in September this year following a tip-off from Wiltshire Police and is taking into account additional information provided by the force.

“I have sent a notice to the member of staff to inform them that they are under investigation.

“Giving such a notice does not mean that disciplinary proceedings will automatically follow.

“We review police files and documentation to investigate whether relevant claims have been dealt with in accordance with local and national policies.

“We also consider the staff member’s training history.”

Clare’s Law, which was launched in England and Wales in 2014, was created by Michael Brown after the death of his daughter Clare Wood, 36, from Yorkshire.

Ms Wood 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, of which Ms Wood was not informed.