Tameside is now part of a major national initiative to strengthen protections for domestic abuse survivors, with four Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) already secured in the borough during the first week of the pilot’s expansion.
The Home Office-led pilot, which launched in November 2024, is now active in Tameside following successful implementation in Bury, Wigan and Manchester. Over 300 DAPOs have been issued across these areas to date, offering critical safeguards for those at risk of harm.
DAPOs are designed to provide flexible, longer-term protection to victims and survivors of domestic abuse, combining the strongest elements of existing protective orders. They can be applied for without the survivor’s direct involvement and can carry criminal consequences if breached.
In a landmark case that highlights the power of these new orders, the longest DAPO in the country to date has been granted in Bury. The 10-year order was secured in June 2025, following the conviction of a domestic abuse perpetrator. The perpetrator received a two-year suspended sentence, community service, and a rehabilitation order for assault.
The survivor, who is being referred to as Lucy (not her real name), whilst initially not wanting to engage, did in fact bravely open up to officers from Greater Manchester Police's (GMP) dedicated domestic abuse team in Bury about suffering physical abuse at the hands of her partner. To protect Lucy, as the perpetrator was due to be released from prison, GMP applied for and secured a DAPO with her support, so this could be taken into consideration at sentencing.
Due to the strength of the application, Lucy's powerful impact statement, and the risk posed to her, the judge granted a ten-year order, protecting her from further harm until 2035.
The significant length of this order will allow Lucy to now start rebuilding her life free from abuse. This order will be proactively monitored by GMP's team at Bury for the whole length of time to enable that.
With Tameside now onboard, local authorities hope more victims will be encouraged to come forward, knowing that robust and long-lasting protections are available.
Domestic abuse lead, Detective Superintendent Jen Tattersall, said: “The DAPO pilot so far has been an overwhelming success, and we are working closely with the Home Office and Ministry of Justice to ensure that our roll out can continue across the force, therefore protecting more victims and survivors.
“Whilst we are of course still actively pursuing perpetrators criminally first and foremost, we understand the complexities of domestic abuse and that sending perpetrators to prison is not what every victim or survivor wants.
“These orders allow us to protect them with or without their support or evidence, if we believe there is a risk posed to that person. The length of some of these orders, like the one secured in Bury recently, provide much more time than previous orders for survivors to get space from perpetrators, and make decisions in their own time about the future.
“Our intention is to continue rolling the pilot out across the force and make a positive difference to the lives of those impacted by abuse of all kinds.”
GMP are encouraging all victims of domestic abuse to come forward. You can do this by calling 999 in an emergency, or 101. For those who would prefer not to speak about their experience over the phone, or are not in a position to in that moment, you can use the Live Chat service available on Greater Manchester Police's website Home | Greater Manchester Police.
Other support available:
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.
Includes information on local help all over Greater Manchester.
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