Responses to stalking super-complaint published

The College of Policing has also published an update on its progress to deliver updated for police officers on stalking and harassment’.

In September 2024, the college, alongside the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) , published a joint report in response to a super-complaint made by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust on behalf of the National Stalking Consortium.

The report included 29 recommendations to chief constables, police and crime commissioners (PCCs) and mayor equivalents, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), Ministry of Justice, Home Office and Crown Prosecution Service.

The responses follow an announcement by the Government in December, setting out measures aimed at protecting victims of stalking. This includes its response to the recommendation on changes to the criminal law on stalking to make it easier for police to understand and apply.

All police forces in England and Wales have now published individual action plans on their own websites setting out the steps they will take in response to the recommendations made to chief constables.

In June this year, the NPCC will publish an update report on the progress made by police forces to deliver against these recommendations.

IOPC Director General Rachel Watson, HMICFRS Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Andy Cooke and Assistant Chief Constable Tom Harding, College of Policing director, welcomed the responses to the recommendations.

In a joint statement they said: “We are encouraged by the responses to the recommendations made to improve the police response to stalking.

“There is recognition across policing, the Government and criminal justice partners, of the need for improvements to make sure reports of stalking are always taken seriously, victims are better protected and at the front and centre of investigations.

“The publication of these responses, including individual police force action plans, is an important step towards positive change.

“However, the proof will be in the delivery of an improved service to victims of this serious crime. We look forward to the NPCC reporting on the progress made across policing, later this year.”

The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners joint leads for victims, Lisa Townsend and Clare Moody, said: “Last September’s report made clear the urgent need for policing to improve its response to stalking so that victims of this profoundly damaging crime receive the support they need and see perpetrators brought to justice.

“All 43 PCCs and their mayor equivalents accepted the three recommendations made in the report to ensure the right specialist support services are available in their areas to stalking victims, to ensure collaborative working is embedded between their police force and local victim support services and to explore how to improve work between police forces and local partners to ensure an effective multi-agency approach.

“PCCs recognise the importance of improving policing’s response to stalking. Victims deserve better. We will work to ensure the highest quality and consistent support is provided to victims of this dreadful and terrifying crime.”