Four police forces to pilot domestic violence protection orders in 2011

Four police forces are to be given the power to use domestic violence protection orders from the summer of 2011, the Home Office has announced.

Under these civil orders, dubbed "go orders", alleged abusers will be prevented from having contact with the victim or from returning to the victim’s home.

They will initially last 48 hours after which a court can rule on extending the order for a longer period. This will normally be 14 to 28 days, the government said.

The 12-month pilot schemes will be operated by forces in Greater Manchester, Wiltshire and West Mercia.

The Home Office said similar schemes had worked successfully in Austria, Germany, Poland and Switzerland.

The pilots are part of a package of measures in a new cross government plan to tackle violence against women.

Home Secretary Theresa May said support services for victims of sexual and domestic violence would continue to receive Home Office funding for four years. The cross government plan will also bring together groups to work in partnership.

May said: “Too often this hidden crime sees victims afraid to seek support. That is why Home Office funding for frontline support services will be protected for four years.”

The Home Secretary warned that central government alone could not solve “this complex problem alone”.

She added: “I want to send a clear message to local agencies – including police, councils and the health service – that tackling violence against women should be a priority for them too.”