Wiltshire Police has launched an urgent review into how information has been released to potential victims of domestic violence over a period of eight years.

The force indicated that it may have failed to meet disclosure obligations in thousands of applications under Clare’s Law, which enables people to enquire into the history of domestic violence of a partner or ex-partner.

Chief Constable Catherine Roper said today: “Having already reviewed a small number of these applications, we know there have been some failures to disclose information which could have protected those most at risk from domestic violence. For this, I am truly sorry."

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Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said he was shocked at the revelations.

He said: “There are no words which can convey how appalled I am.”

An unnamed member of Wiltshire Police staff has been suspended.

Wiltshire Police first voiced concerns to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in September.

More than 3,500 applications made between April 2015 and August 2023 will have to be reviewed to ensure that full disclosure required under the law was completed.

The IOPC said the allegations are that a “staff member at Wiltshire Police has failed to comply with the requirements of the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme in dealing with a number of applications.”

It added: “We are examining police records and documentation to investigate whether the relevant applications were handled in accordance with local and national policies.”

The Chief Constable added: “As we work to fully understand the extent of these failures, fully supporting the independent IOPC investigation, it is vital that we are honest and transparent with our communities and so are reaching out to you to explain the current situation.

“We are now conducting an urgent audit of Clare’s Law applications made to us since April 2015, which is when the member of staff began working in this department.

“The total number of applications made to us between April 2015 and the end of August 2023 is just over 3,500.

"Of these 3,500 applications, information was disclosed in 1,195 cases under the Right to Ask process (where the individual makes the application regarding a current or ex-partner) or the Right to Know process (where the police or a partner agency comes across information indicating an individual is at risk of domestic abuse)."