POLICE IN the UK would be able to warn women if a new partner had a violent past, under plans being considered by home affairs minister Theresa May to reduce injuries from domestic abuse.
The growth of online dating, coupled with the launch of a national police database, has encouraged the government to look at ways to protect people.
A proposal for a “Clare’s law” – named after 36-year-old Clare Wood, who met her murderer through a website – is to be launched in London today by Wood’s father, Michael, and former Labour cabinet minister Hazel Blears. Wood’s killer, George Appleton, burnt her body before hanging himself in 2009.
An investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission criticised systemic failures in the way Greater Manchester police handled Wood’s allegations that Appleton had harassed, assaulted and threatened to kill her. It emerged he had a history of violence against women.
Ms Blears, MP for Salford and Eccles, said: “Women in Clare’s situation often are unaware of their partner’s previous relationships . . . Clare’s tragic death shows how vulnerable women aren’t always protected under the current law.”
Ms Blears said the national police database meant better information. The trigger for release of information may come in response to people raising concerns over the behaviour of a partner or, more controversially, through the police actively alerting people if a new partner had a history of violence flagged on the database. – ( Guardianservice)