St Austell Police Highlight Clare’s Law Disclosure Scheme

St Austell Police are highlighting Clare’s Law, a disclosure scheme designed to help protect people from domestic abuse, as new figures reveal the scale of the issue across England and Wales.

According to the Crime Survey for England and Wales, an estimated 3.8 million people aged 16 and over experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2025.

What Is Clare’s Law?

Clare’s Law, also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, gives individuals the right to ask about a partner or ex-partner’s history of domestic abuse.

The scheme allows people to:

• Request information about their own partner or ex-partner if they are concerned about potential risks
• Apply on behalf of a friend or relative who may be at risk

Police say the scheme can provide information that helps protect people and prevent further offences.

Applications can be made free of charge and are handled confidentially. More details on how to apply can be found on the Devon and Cornwall Police website via this link: Request information under Clare’s Law.

What Information Can Be Shared?

Under Clare’s Law, police may release information about a person’s previous history of violence or abuse where it is necessary to protect someone at risk.

However, St Austell Police stress that:

• The information provided is not a full criminal record
• Details are often summarised and redacted
• Disclosures are confidential and cannot be used in court proceedings

The scheme also does not replace other formal checks such as DBS or subject access requests.

When to Seek Immediate Help

Police are reminding the public that Clare’s Law is not a tool for reporting domestic abuse.

If someone is in immediate danger or at risk, they should call 999. Those with hearing or speech impairments can use the textphone service on 18000 or text 999 if registered with the emergencySMS service.

For non-emergency situations, domestic abuse can be reported using the police’s online services.

St Austell Police say the scheme “saves lives” and encourages anyone with concerns about a partner or someone else’s safety to consider making a request.