Hundreds of Domestic Abuse Protection Orders secured as pilot hits 12 months

Over 500 Domestic Abuse Protection Orders have been secured as the Greater Manchester pilot - set to launch in Oldham - reaches its 12-month mark.

Last November (2024), GMP introduced Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) - a joint Home Office and Ministry of Justice led pilot, with the aim of protecting more victims and survivors of abuse. 

Starting in Bury, DAPOs have gradually been rolled out in eight districts, with Bolton and Rochdale being the latest to launch in the last week, and only Oldham and Salford remaining.  

The pilot launched in Tameside on July 7, 2025, where 36 DAPOs were granted.

A full force wide roll out is expected in the coming months, however DAPOs are available everywhere when applied directly through the family courts. 

Over the last year, officers and staff have issued 538 orders to protect victims of all forms of domestic abuse, whether that be in romantic relationships or family settings, including seven indefinite orders. 

The dedicated domestic abuse teams across each district have been able to monitor offenders who have been issued with DAPOs robustly, leading to over 200 breaches being identified and over 100 of those receiving jail time, a suspended sentence, fine or community order.   

Pictured above: Arrest made in Tameside.

To mark the one-year anniversary since DAPOs launched, Safeguarding and VAWG Minister Jess Phillips MP revisited GMP teams, following her previous visit in February earlier this year.  

This time, she met with officers from GMPs domestic abuse and neighbourhood teams in Tameside, as well as Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker, where they discussed progress, demand and the positive impact this legislation is having on victims in the area.   

The DAPO pilot has brought a significant change for victims of controlling and coercive behaviour. As the previous legislation, Domestic Violence Protection Orders, were only applicable to victims of physical violence.  

DAPOs are also being used in stalking investigations due to their speed and flexibility compared to Stalking Protection Orders.  

ACC Steph Parker, a force lead for vulnerability, said: "This pilot has been an opportunity for our officers to assess how these protection orders fit into GMP and how they can be used to continuously provide protection to our communities. 

"Now live in eight districts, and aims to roll them out in all 10 in the new year, DAPOs have proven largely successful in reducing the number of domestic abuse reports across GM. 

"This pilot is also an opportunity for us to draw out any challenges we've faced over the last 12 months, to ensure we are making positive strides and consistently changing the system to fit the needs of our communities. 

"Domestic abuse is a complex and sometimes hidden crime, and we will continue to work to bring it down and protect the public from dangerous offenders. DAPOs have been instrumental in protecting so many victims and it is our hope that they will continue to do so, across every district in GM.” 

Minister for Safeguarding and Violence against Women and Girls Jess Phillips said: “I know from first-hand experience the devastating impact domestic abuse has on victims. 

“With more than 500 Domestic Abuse Protection Orders now issued across Greater Manchester, we are taking real, practical steps that make a genuine difference to victims’ lives.  

“This is more than words - I will do whatever it takes to make this country safer for women and girls.”