The pilot began in Bury in November 2024, before expanding to Wigan in January 2025, and more recently, across the City of Manchester in February. Further expansion across the region is already in the pipeline.
The introduction of DAPOs marks a significant shift in how authorities protect victims of assault, coercive and controlling behaviour, and threats, even in cases where victims may not actively support action against perpetrators. The orders also allow civil enforcement even where there hasn’t been a recent incident, as long as there’s an identified victim and suspect, or ongoing emotional and verbal abuse.
Detective Sergeant Steven Gardner and DAPO Team Supervisor Victoria Collins are part of the dedicated team at the heart of the initiative, responsible for processing applications, compiling evidence, and presenting cases in court. Their work and the wider operation will be highlighted in a special ITV Granada segment airing tonight (Thursday 10 April).
So far, 45 breaches of DAPOs have been dealt with, the majority for failing to register with police, while five individuals were jailed after breaching orders by contacting their victims.
Once a DAPO is in place, officers regularly check for compliance and conduct welfare visits to ensure victim safety and that the perpetrator is obeying the order’s conditions.
The team size doubled following the rollout to ensure no victim was left without support. Positive feedback from victims shows the orders are making a tangible impact.
While the police pilot is currently limited to Bury, Wigan, and Manchester, victims across Greater Manchester can still apply for DAPOs via the family court system, with GMP continuing to monitor and manage all such orders to ensure consistent protection.
This proactive pilot is a vital step forward in addressing domestic abuse, ensuring those at risk are protected and perpetrators are held accountable.
