Significant changes are needed to improve the police response to reports of stalking, an investigation into a police super-complaint has found, noting that often these cases are not taken seriously enough, and the quality of investigations is inconsistent.
The investigation into the Suzy Lamplugh Trust’s super-complaint was undertaken by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and the College of Policing (CoP).
The report details 29 recommendations to ensure better support for victims, including:
• Steps chief constables should take to improve the quality of stalking investigations.
• Change the criminal law on stalking to make it easier for police to understand and apply.
• Make stalking protection orders simpler and easier for the police to use.
• Ensure police and support services work more closely together to improve the service provided to victims.
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary Andy Cooke said, “We have previously recommended that stalking is prioritised by forces and the wider criminal justice system. However, investigations are often not effective enough and all the risks to victims are not being identified. While examples of positive practice were found, this progress is not significant enough to achieve the outcomes all victims deserve.”
Deputy Chief Constable Paul Mills, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for stalking, said that the criminal justice system must recognise the damage and harm perpetrators cause and protect victims at the earliest opportunity. “Police forces with integrated multi-agency models to respond to reports of stalking have seen the best success at disrupting perpetrator behaviour and safeguarding victims.
“We must continue to drive best practice nationally across forces and ensure they have the right skills and resources to identify and investigate reports and provide support for victims through the criminal justice process. We are carefully working through the recommendations and will work closely with our partners across the criminal justice system and beyond to further improve and standardise the service victims receive.”
