PCC celebrates national digital award for pioneering work to speed up disclosures under Clare’s Law

A new digital tool funded by PCC Joy Allen to speed up the way disclosures about a person’s violent past are processed has won a national technology award.

The system was developed by leading intelligence automation and artificial intelligence service provider Robiquity on behalf of the County Durham and Darlington PCC and force to streamline the way requests made under Clare’s Law are managed.

Clare’s Law, also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), gives members of the public the right to ask the police if their current or ex-partner may pose a risk to them.

The new solution uses Microsoft Power Platform to automatically manage each stage of the disclosure process at the click of a button and provides notifications of approaching deadlines to alert officers when the information is due. Under Home Office guidance, police forces have 28 days to disclose information under the scheme.

The force has now scooped the Tech for Good category at the Digital Revolution Awards held at the Grosvenor Hotel in London.

The PCC has prioritised domestic abuse under the Safer People theme of her Police, Crime and Justice Plan, vowing to ensure the police support Clare’s Law and respond promptly to requests for disclosures of previous domestic violence offending. She has also pledged to ensure effective use of all available protection and prevention orders to safeguard victims of domestic abuse. 

Congratulating the team on their success, Commissioner Joy Allen said: “This is a huge achievement, and I am tremendously proud of everyone who has been involved in bringing this new digital asset to fruition.

“This is a significant, national award which proves Durham Constabulary remains at the forefront of policing innovation as it has for a number of years. Importantly, the development of this technology has ensured future victims of domestic abuse receive information about a potentially violent partner earlier which could ultimately save their life. Additionally, it has also released additional policing hours that can be spent on the frontline.

“Tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence are key priorities in my new Police, Crime and Justice Plan and the funding of this new tool is one of the many ways I am supporting the force to improve the response to these victims and prevent violence happening in the first place.

“This award is testament to the commitment of staff, officers and our partners in pushing the boundaries of our capabilities ever further to safeguard potential victims of crime from harm and to provide the support they truly deserve.”

Rob Smithson UK Business Applications Lead at Microsoft, said: “We’re incredibly proud to see this pioneering work recognised on a national stage. Congratulations to everyone involved — this award is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in protecting lives and delivering real impact.”

Clare’s Law is named after Clare Wood,who was murdered by her abusive ex-boyfriend in 2009, and rolled out across England and Wales in 2014.

Commissioner Allen provided funding to Robiquity to develop a new centralised solution allowing the force to store all data under Clare’s Law in one place.

The system also allows officers to record notes on each application which assists with the tracking of disclosures and provides a clear trail for auditing.

Previously, time was lost because data was stored in multiple platforms. This resulted in duplication and increased the risk of human error due to information needing to be updated and calculated manually.

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