Domestic Abuse Protection Orders now rolled out in Oldham

Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) will now be used in every GMP district including Oldham following more than 460 arrests since the pilot started 18 months ago.

This marks the final phase of the programme, which began in November 2024 with the initial pilot in Bury, and later expanded to Salford in January before reaching all remaining districts including Oldham earlier this week. 

DAPOs provide vital protection for victims and survivors of domestic abuse, including physical violence, sexual abuse, financial control, and coercive or controlling behaviour.  

Domestic abuse is not limited to intimate partners; these orders can also be used to safeguard victims from family members or others known to them. 

Introduced by the Home Office and Ministry of Justice, DAPOs offer more flexible and longer‑term protection than previous orders by enabling courts to impose both restrictive conditions and positive requirements on perpetrators.  

Since the first rollout, domestic abuse teams across Greater Manchester have secured more than 870 DAPOs and made over 460 arrests for breaches, ensuring swift action when offenders fail to comply. 

Over the last year, GMP has used the pilot period to develop a robust model for managing DAPOs, improving safeguarding responses, and strengthening the pathway to bringing offenders before the courts.  

Applications have increased significantly as the rollout progressed, demonstrating growing confidence and capability across the force. 

In the last 12 months, officers have seen over 2,000 fewer domestic abuse cases across Greater Manchester compared to the previous year. 

DAPOs play a huge role in this decrease, and police see far fewer repeat offenders causing harm to communities.  

Officers and district-focused Domestic Abuse Teams continue to tackle any domestic violence or abuse related crimes to ensure vulnerable people are always safeguarded.  

Compared with the former Domestic Violence Protection Orders, DAPOs offer wider protection as they are not limited to physical violence alone.   

Officers can also apply for a DAPO without the victim needing to request it or attend court, helping safeguard those who may feel unable to come forward. 

To support the rising demand, and with backing from the Ministry of Justice, a dedicated DAPO court was established at Manchester Magistrates’ Court in May 2025. This specialist court has improved the timeliness and efficiency of applications, ensuring victims receive faster protective measures. 

Detective Superintendent Jen Tattersall, GMP’s lead for Domestic Abuse and Vulnerability, said: “The full rollout of Domestic Abuse Protection Orders is a major milestone in strengthening the safeguarding of victims and survivors across Greater Manchester. 

“These orders equip officers with the tools to act quickly, disrupt perpetrators, and put meaningful protections in place. Their expansion reflects our ongoing focus on prevention, protection, and accountability. 

“Domestic abuse is often hidden, complex and persistent, but the expertise and dedication of our domestic abuse teams are central to keeping victims safe and bringing offenders to justice.  Their relentless work underpins every DAPO we secure and every intervention that protects a victim.  We will continue to build on this progress, ensuring domestic abuse is never tolerated in Greater Manchester". 

Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities, Kate Green, said: “Having Domestic Abuse Protection Orders in every district shows how far we’ve come in strengthening our response to domestic abuse across Greater Manchester. 

"Over the past year, we have seen the real impact these orders can have, enabling earlier intervention, strong safeguarding, and clear consequences for those who breach boundaries. That progress is the result of dedicated partnership working and a shared commitment to putting victims and survivors first. 

"DAPOs are a crucial part of our wider approach to tackling domestic abuse, not only responding to harm but preventing it from happening again. By strengthening protections and addressing perpetrator behaviour, we are building a safer city region where abuse is never tolerated and support is always within reach.”