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Significant changes are needed to improve the police response to reports of stalking, an investigation into a police super-complaint has found.
Following the investigation into the Suzy Lamplugh Trust’s super-complaint, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and the College of Policing (CoP) found that, while police understanding of stalking is improving, too often these cases are not being taken seriously enough and the quality of investigations is inconsistent.
The report, published on Friday, details 29 recommendations to ensure better support for victims, including:
- outlining steps chief constables should take now to improve the quality of stalking investigations
- changing the criminal law on stalking, which is currently confusing in places, to make it easier for police to understand and apply;
- making stalking protection orders simpler and easier for the police to use; and
- ensuring police and support services work more closely together to improve the service provided to victims.
Speaking about the findings of the report, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary Andy Cooke said, “The seriousness of stalking should not be underestimated. It is a devastating crime and the impact on victims can be life-long. Police forces must do all they can to tackle it with the utmost urgency.
“We have previously recommended that stalking is prioritised by forces and the wider criminal justice system.
“However, it is concerning that we are still not seeing change as quickly as we should; 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.
“Change is needed, and today’s report must be a springboard for action.”
NPCC welcomes recommendations
Deputy Chief Constable Paul Mills, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for stalking, responded by saying, “We welcome the recommendations made in the super-complaint and remain committed to doing everything possible to improve the policing response for victims of stalking.
“Stalking and harassment can have a devastating impact on victims. Our criminal justice system must recognise the damage and harm perpetrators cause and protect victims at the earliest opportunity.
“To effectively do this, policing must respond as part of a wider system approach. As the report highlights, police forces that have 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 that police officers and staff 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 made for policing and will work closely with our partners across the criminal justice system and beyond to further improve and standardise the service victims receive.”
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