A LAW that enables information about domestic abuse suspects to be shared with potential victims is being highlighted by police as part of an ongoing campaign.

North Yorkshire Police are running a ‘No Home Here’ campaign throughout December to try and combat the traditional rise in domestic violence that accompanies the Christmas period.

This week the police are keen to make residents aware of their rights under ‘Clare’s Law’ - also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme.

The law came into force in 2014 after Clare Wood was strangled and set on fire by her ex-boyfriend at her home in Greater Manchester in 2009.

He had a history of domestic abuse – but Clare was unaware of it.

The scheme aims to protect those vulnerable to domestic abuse by disclosing information about someone’s partner if there are concerns around him or her being violent.

There are two elements to the scheme; the ‘Right to Ask’, whereby any concerned person can make enquiries to the police about a current relationship, and the ‘Right to Know’ where the police or other safeguarding agencies can share information about a previously violent individual who may cause harm to another.

Between April 2016 to March 2017, there were 111 applications in total, 41 under Right to Ask and 70 under Right to Know.

Detective Chief Inspector Allan Harder, of North Yorkshire Police’s Safeguarding Command, urged people to act on domestic violence suspicions.

He said: “It is also really important we raise awareness of Clare’s Law as this allows anyone who is worried their partner may be abusive, to contact the police and request checks are done on their history.

“Importantly, the scheme also allows concerned friends or family members to get in touch with police and request this information too.

“Ultimately, this helps us all work together to make sure we are doing all we can to keep people safe from harm and make sure any potential victims of domestic abuse are protected.

“If police checks show that the person of concern has a record of violent behaviour or there is other information to indicate that any children may be at risk, the police will consider sharing this information and taking appropriate action.”

Enquiries about Clare’s Law can be made by calling 101 or the Independent Domestic Abuse Service on 03000-110110.