THIS month I’d like to tell you more about a one-year Home Office experiment called the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme which was rolled out in Greater Manchester, Wiltshire, Nottingham and Gwent last September.

It enables people to ask the police to check if their partner has a history of domestic violence. The charity Victim Support says that the trials of the project, known as Clare’s Law, have been so successful that they want it rolled out nationwide.

The scheme is named after Clare Wood, who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in February 2009.

Clare’s Law is the result of a campaign by the victim’s family, who discovered that Clare had been lied to by her partner about his past.

It emerged that he had an appalling record of violence against women, including repeated instances of harassment, stalking, threats and aggravated burglary.

Clare’s father said that if she had known what a violent man he was, she could have made an informed decision to get out of the relationship sooner.

Statistics show that one in four women and one in six men will suffer some kind of domestic abuse during their lifetime.

In 2011-2012 domestic violence accounted for 15 per cent of all violent incidents in England and Wales (although only a fraction of cases are ever reported); according to the Crime Survey of England and Wales, 1.2 million women and 800 000 men reported being victims of domestic abuse last year.

Within the pilot areas, anyone can use Clare’s Law – someone who is concerned about a partner’s abusive behaviour or a third party – a parent or friend, worried for someone.

Requests for information go before the police and a range of other agencies and information is only disclosed if there is believed to be an imminent risk of harm.

The person receiving the information cannot pass it to anyone else, or they could be prosecuted under the Data Protection Act.

There is evidence that attitudes to domestic violence are changing and soon the government will be considering whether Clare’s Law ought to be rolled out nationally. Women’s groups are generally supportive of the law, but recognise that in addition, women must be given the support they need to get out of an abusive relationship. The pilot is scheduled to finish in September.

IN the Wyre Forest, police are warning of a spate of thefts from vehicles in Stourport. Incidents have been reported in Lickhill and Burlish, with sat navs, handbags and even loose change being taken.

A man has been seen trying the door handles of cars on driveways in the early hours of the morning, on the off-chance that one of them may be left unlocked.

If you can’t park your car in a secure garage, please make sure that you lock it, remove all valuables from view and set the alarm if you have one. Rest assured that Safer Wyre Forest is working closely with the local police officer on a range of initiatives aimed at raising awareness among motorists and reducing vehicle crime, but we do need residents to help themselves by heeding our advice and taking the simple steps mentioned above.

For more information about the North Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership, please visit www.nwcsp.org

SUE HANLEY, Chairman, North Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership