THE father of a nurse who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend has welcomed figures showing thousands have checked up on their partners’ violent past.

John Clough, whose daughter Jane, from Barrowford, was killed by Jonathan Vass, who was on bail for rape at the time, said it was encouraging people were using Clare’s Law to make informed decisions about their relationships.

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Clare’s Law, named after Clare Wood, who was murdered in 2009 by her ex-boyfriend, was introduced less than a year ago to allow police to disclose information about a partner’s previous history of domestic violence or violent acts.

Figures released following a Freedom of Information request showed that nationally, 1,335 disclosures were made following 3,760 applications. Outside of the areas which piloted the law, Lancashire had the highest number of disclosures at 146.

In total, 189 Clare’s Law applications were made in the county, leading to 22 applications for domestic violence protection orders, all of which were granted.

Nationally, courts have granted 2,220 protection orders.

Mr Clough said: “It does not surprise me that the figures are so high. It is very encouraging. Anything that helps people find out about violent partners is great.”

Miss Wood, 36, was strangled and set on fire by her ex-boyfriend George Appleton at her home in Salford..

Unbeknown to Miss Wood, Appleton had a history of violence towards women and was known to prowl online dating websites and Facebook in search of partners. Appleton, from Salford, was found six days after her death, hanged in a derelict pub.

The following year, Jane, 26, was stabbed 71 times as she walked into work by predator Vass, who lay in wait for her, and cut her throat.

She had ended their relationship and told police that he had raped and beaten her, but he was granted bail while facing nine counts of rape and four of assault.

Mr Clough said he was still concerned that people whose partners did not have a record of violence might still not get adequate protection.

He added: “The thing that still concerns me is if there is no history of violence. By doing a check, it could lead potential victims to fall into a false sense of security.

“However, it is great that over 1,000 people have had their pasts disclosed. It means it has helped more than 1,000 people to make a decision for their own futures.”

Mr Clough is still campaigning for a stalkers’ register aimed at allowing police to pro-actively identify, track, monitor and manage stalkers instead of relying on a series of victims to report multiple crimes.

A petition, which will be handed to Home Secretary Theresa May, has been signed by more than 120,000 people.

To add your name, visit www.change.org/p/rt-hon-theresa-may-mp-create-a-stalker-s-register