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Nottinghamshire Police says it is committed to doing all that it can to protect anyone at risk of domestic violence as it reports a surge in requests for disclosure about the previous violent and abusive behaviour of a current or ex-partner.
In 2024, 580 people across the Nottinghamshire Police area were given information about their partners under Clare’s Law – up from 276 disclosures in 2023.
Clare’s Law, introduced in 2014, allows police to proactively warn people who may not be aware of their current or ex-partner’s abusive past. This is called ‘right to know’. It also gives anyone a ‘right to ask’ about what the police may know about their current or ex-partner because they’re worried they may have a history of abuse and are a risk to them. Requests can also be made for information about the current or ex-partner of a relative, friend or colleague because they are worried they might be at risk.
Nottinghamshire Police says that it expects officers to actively consider making a right-to-know report in every case of domestic abuse – checking a suspect’s past record and disclosing this to victims deemed at risk of further harm.
Disclosure should take no longer than 28 days and information is given over the phone or in person and is not written down. The force said that information provided in some cases had been shared with others in online forums.
“We will only ever disclose information to the person believed to be at risk. Clare’s Law is there to protect individuals and should not be abused in this way. The undertaking of a person who we disclose information to is made very clear. Information is read out to them and they are asked to sign a written undertaking.”
Detective Sergeant Katie Nolan, Safeguarding and Reducing Reoffending Hub, Nottinghamshire Police.
DS Nolan acknowledged that there is a risk of inaccurate information being shared on online forums but reinforced the need for information disclosed by the force should remain confidential and sharing it without permission could have legal consequences.
Read more about what police forces are doing to raise awareness of Clare’s Law – Fresh campaign tactics help to protect women and girls in Sussex.
