GMP secures first innovative order to protect domestic abuse survivors in GM

• GM's first Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO) was issued at Manchester Magistrates' Court yesterday (5 December 2024) as part of a government pilot in Bury.
• The order has strict conditions to stop the offender contacting the victim at all - any breach of this is an arrestable offence.
• GMP was one of three forces chosen to be part of the Home Office DAPO pilot in November.

We’ve secured the first Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO) in Greater Manchester as part of a government pilot in Bury to protect victims from harm.

The order was issued yesterday (5 December 2024) at Manchester Magistrates’ Court to a man who has subjected a woman to coercive and controlling behaviour and physical abuse.

The offender is prohibited from contacting the victim in any way, including via any other person, digitally, or in-person. Those conditions will last for six months and any breach is an arrestable criminal offence.

It is one of the first such orders to be issued nationwide with GMP being one of three UK police forces piloting the new civil order recently announced by the Home Office.

We began the pilot in our Bury district last month, with plans to roll this out across the whole of GM in 2025.

DAPOs can be used to protect victims from all types of domestic abuse offences, whether that be physical, sexual, or coercive and controlling behaviour.

Unlike currently available Domestic Violence Protection Notices (DVPNs), DAPOs can be granted for any length of time, may require ‘positive requirements’ for perpetrators such as electronic monitoring or attendance at a behaviour change programme, and any breach is an arrestable criminal offence.

As well as police, victims or approved people within their support network can apply directly for a DAPO.

Over the past 12 months, we have issued more than 1,900 DVPNs. The introduction of DAPOs will provide us with even more opportunities to safeguarded vulnerable people, particularly where victims don’t support a criminal prosecution.

They are intended to provide longer lasting and stronger protections for victims than powers already available, and give us greater options for punishing perpetrators.

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Faulkner, who is leading the GMP pilot, said: “We are really pleased to be one of the few forces taking part in the pilot of DAPOs. This will give us the opportunity to work alongside our national partners, such as the Home Office, on shaping policing of the future where it comes to the protection of vulnerable people.

“We have significantly improved our response to domestic abuse. We’re responding to incidents more quickly, arresting more suspects, supporting survivors and ensuring our officers are equipped with all available and innovative tools to protect victims.

"All of this is with a view to continuing to achieve more positive outcomes for victims – with around 1,300 more victims securing justice compared to three years ago – and keeping vulnerable people – particularly women and girls – safe across GM.

“The introduction of DAPOs means we have another tool to continue that positive journey and ensure victims are safeguarded from harm. It also forms part of our wider commitment to tackling violence against women and girls under the GM Gender-Based Violence strategy."

Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls Jess Phillips said: “More than two million people are estimated to have experienced domestic abuse in the last year – a number that is appalling, frightening and we are determined to change.

“That’s why one of our first acts to deliver against our ambitious manifesto pledge to halve violence against women and girls in a decade is to launch new, strengthened Domestic Abuse Protection Orders. By bringing together the strongest elements of existing orders into a flexible order that covers all forms of domestic abuse and has no time limit, we’ll ensure more victims receive the robust protection they deserve.”

DAPOs will be monitored in the same way we monitor DVPNs, by completing regular checks on both victims and perpetrators, to ensure orders are being complied with and victims remain safe and supported. Where breaches are reported or proactively identified, we will act.

This time last year, we were recognised for how effective our monitoring of DVPNs across the force was in ensuring the safety of victims. Read more about that here: Promising practice in tackling domestic abuse offenders recognised with national award | Greater Manchester Police

How to report domestic abuse and get support

If you or someone you know are a victim or survivor of domestic abuse, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.

You can also report information and crimes on our website (www.gmp.police.uk) using the 'report' tool.

Alternatively, you can report information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

There are also lots of organisations and support agencies available across Greater Manchester that can help and provide support for you:

Greater Manchester domestic abuse helpline 
Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, except bank holidays. For anyone experiencing domestic abuse. Includes a language service and advice for the LGBT community.

End the Fear 
Includes information on local help all over Greater Manchester.

More support organisations can be found here.