'Clare's Law' will stay after successful 12-month trial

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), known as Clare’s Law after Salford murder victim Clare Wood, launched last year and allows people to ask police if their partner, or partner of a loved one or a friend, has a history of domestic abuse.

Mother-of-one Miss Wood was murdered in 2009 by her ex-partner George Appleton, who had a history of violence she didn’t know about despite speaking to police about him before her death.

The scheme was piloted in Greater Manchester, Wiltshire, Gwent and Nottinghamshire and is being extended by Greater Manchester Police.

Tony Lloyd, Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: “Greater Manchester was one of the pilot areas on this and quite rightly has made the decision to continue with the scheme.

“It’s one, and only one, of a number of measures being used to tackle domestic violence and do all we can to support victims.

“This sends a message that violence in the home is not acceptable and we all need to work together to challenge those who think otherwise.”

Amy Leigh Barnes was aged just 19 when she was stabbed to death by her boyfriend, Ricardo Morrison, in Farnworth, in November, 2008.

Since her death her friends and family set up the Amy Leigh Barnes Foundation, which has raised thousands of pounds for good causes.

And mum-of-four Katie Boardman was stabbed 82 times by her ex-partner, Brian Taylor, in 2008, after suffering years of abuse.

She was aged just 24 when she died at her home in Farnworth.

Since the launch, of Clare’s Law, 126 disclosures have been submitted either by individuals or agencies, and out of that, 72 were passed. For further information about the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, or to make a request for information under it, contact Greater Manchester Police on 101 or visit a police station.

For further support on domestic abuse, visit endthefear.co.uk or call the Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247.