Suffolk Constabulary's failures on Clare’s Law raise safeguarding concerns
Failures in how Suffolk Constabulary operates Clare’s Law risk leaving vulnerable people without timely information to protect themselves, inspectors have warned.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) said the force’s approach to the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme is inadequate, citing a backlog of more than 500 applications and concerns over how disclosures are being handled.
The scheme allows police to share information about a person’s history of violent or abusive behaviour with a current or former partner, helping them make informed decisions about their safety.
Inspectors found that delays meant some individuals were not receiving information promptly, while the force was also creating identifiable digital records of police contact—such as emails and text messages—on victims’ devices. In some cases, this could increase risk if seen or accessed by an abuser.
HMICFRS has issued an accelerated cause of concern, a measure reserved for serious failings that risk public safety.
HMIC Roy Wilsher said the force “wasn’t fully aware of the risks” posed by the backlog and was not consistently sharing information quickly enough to help protect those at risk.
He added: “We also found the constabulary was leaving emails and texts on victims’ devices and didn’t have a standardised risk management processes for when the offender answers the victim’s phone or is nearby and could overhear the conversation. This means the constabulary can’t assure itself that it is managing or reducing the risk of harm to vulnerable people.”
The inspectorate has instructed the force to take immediate action to assess and reduce risks linked to the backlog, and to implement a plan to clear outstanding cases without delay. Further recommendations include strengthening governance, improving capacity within safeguarding teams, and ensuring staff have the necessary training and experience.
The findings reflect wider pressures across policing, where forces are increasingly having to manage high levels of safeguarding demand alongside finite resources.
HMICFRS said it would continue to monitor Suffolk Constabulary’s progress.
News of the accelerated cause of concern comes just days after Suffolk’s Chief Constable Rachel Kearton announced plans to retire in October 2026.