Domestic Abuse Protection Order pilot expands to the City of Manchester, with 45 orders already granted in GM

Yesterday (Monday 17 February 2025) we continued to roll out the government pilot of Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) in Greater Manchester. After 12 weeks in Bury, and six weeks in Wigan, we have secured a total of 45 orders, with a further five applications in progress.

The pilot has now begun across the whole of the City of Manchester district, giving officers additional options to safeguard victims and allowing for greater punishments of perpetrators.

In February alone, 18 DAPO applications have been made, 11 of those successfully granted, one withdrawn due to a criminal charge having been secured and the remaining awaiting court dates or positive requirement assessments. Three applications made in February have been made by victims directly through family court – whilst the police roll out is district by district, victims anywhere in Greater Manchester can apply for DAPOs themselves.

We have also dealt with ten DAPO breaches this month so far, primarily linked with perpetrators failing to meet their notification or sign on requirements, but some involving attempts to cause further harm to victims. These have resulted in swift arrests, and all being put before the courts, punished with fines, time served or suspended sentences.

However, one man, Michael Daly (19/06/1985), has been jailed for two-and-a-half years, after pleading guilty to a number of breaches of a suspended prison sentence. Of this sentence, 12 weeks were specifically for a DAPO breach.

We were called to reports of a woman screaming for help inside a property, with a lot of noise coming from the address. Upon arrival, officers could see clear signs of a disturbance with furniture displaced. Whilst the victim didn’t wish to pursue, substantial witness account and previous offending history was taken into account and a DAPO granted for 28 days to protect the victim. Unfortunately, Daly breached the DAPO within days by threatening the victim.

His complete disregard for the victim and protection order in place meant a custodial sentence was necessary. Now, the victim is safe from harm at his hands without the need to have directly made disclosures, which we understand can be extremely difficult in situations like these.

Some other examples of DAPOs applied for in the last month:

Wigan

• Nine-month DAPO granted after a victim disclosed to a support worker that she had been pinned to the floor and physically assaulted. Whilst originally a six-month DAPO was granted, due to the work of our central DAPO team providing further research, background, and evidence to the court on the history of this couple, a stronger order offering the victim protection for longer was achieved.
• A DAPO was given to a man who attempted to gain entry to a property, smashing the glass on the front door. He was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, and a three-month DAPO order granted. After he breached the order, once again attending the address and attempting to gain entry, he was charged with a breach, receiving a 12-week suspended sentence. The condition of this sentence was that he must attend alcohol treatment or risk custody.
• A tailored DAPO was secured for a victim who wanted to remain in contact with her son, but needed to stop a pattern of drug-fuelled harassment at her address. Prohibitions stopping the son from attending her property and work were agreed, to stop further abuse and harassment, addressing a complex and sad situation.

Bury

• A four-month DAPO was granted to protect a very vulnerable victim who was living in constant fear. It was reported that she has previously been subject to serious violence and controlling behaviour but is now safe away from the perpetrator.
• We secured the longest DAPO to date, of 12 months, after staff at a supported living facility overheard a woman shouting ‘get off me’. This victim was reluctant and fearful to engage with police, but had been subject to physical and emotional abuse. This included an allegation of the victim being kicked whilst pregnant. After presenting a strong case to the court, the 12-month order was agreed over the initial three-month proposed order.
• A three-month DAPO was granted in a complex case involving mother and son, whereby the son had smashed up the house and spat at her. This order allows the two to remain in contact but prohibits criminal damage or further abuse.  

Detective Superintendent Jen Tattersall, who has newly stepped into the domestic abuse lead role at GMP, said; “DAPOs have already made a difference to the lives of several victims in Greater Manchester who have been subject to abuse at the hands of family members or partners.

“Our central DAPO team has doubled in size in the last few months to ensure that we can fully support the districts in making these applications, taking them to court and fighting for the protection of victims. They are very strong advocates for those who have experienced abuse, and their presentations to the court have in many cases seen perpetrators face lengthier prohibitions or stronger sentences for breaches. They have also worked closely with victims to make sure the orders are working for them too, particularly where dynamics between victim and perpetrator are complex.

“I want to ensure victims of domestic abuse know that should they come forward to us, their report will be taken seriously, and we will pursue all possible avenues to ensure they are safeguarded. DAPOs have in many cases been secured without victims wanting to come on board too, so I would encourage anyone who hears anything, knows anything, or sees anything impacting someone else to also feel they can report this to support those in harm’s way.”

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.