Priti Patel last night added the proposal to Government legislation currently going through Parliament as part of her drive to tackle violence against women and girls. Home Office insiders say that under the amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, public bodies, including police, health and education services, will be expected to share information locally to develop a more united approach to addressing violence and sex crimes against women.

       The move follows campaigning on the issue by Tory peer Baroness Bertin, a former Downing Street adviser to David Cameron.