New stalking protection orders will help protect victims at the earliest possible stage, says the Home Office. The Home Secretary Amber Rudd made the announcement as part of a package of government measures against violence against women and girls (VAWG).
She announced plans for the new orders, designed to intervene early to keep victims safe and stop โstranger stalkingโ before it escalates, after visiting the National Stalking Helpline.
Amber Rudd, pictured, said: “Stalking can have devastating consequences and I am determined that we do all we can to protect victims from these prolonged and terrifying campaigns of abuse that can last years, leaving many people too afraid to leave their homes and unable to get on with their lives. Four years ago this government created specific stalking offences to ensure those responsible face justice. Today I want to go even further and offer protection at the first signs of stalking, stopping offenders in their tracks.”
The charity Suzy Lamplugh Trust, which runs the National Stalking Helpline which offers support and advice to anyone concerned or frightened by stalking behaviours, welcomed the orders.โฏThe charity urged the Government to support its call for stalking specific perpetrator intervention as requested by many victims of stalking.
The Home Office says that when victims seek help police will be able to apply to the courts for an order to impose restrictions on perpetrators, such as staying away from their target or restricting their internet use. They may also be subject to requirements such as attending rehabilitation or seeking treatment for mental health issues. Breaching the conditions will be a criminal offence.
Comment
National Police Chiefsโ Council (NPCC) lead for stalking and harassment, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said: “We want to stop stalkers in their tracks. In the last year, police have recorded 32 per cent more stalking offences and more perpetrators are now being prosecuted. The launch of stalking protection orders will help us intervene earlier and place controls on perpetrators to prevent their behaviour escalating while the crime is investigated.”
A national statement of expectations has also been published, setting out requirements for local areas.
See background, from the National Stalking Consortium.
PCC view
Northumbriaโs Labour Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird QC said: โIโm delighted that the government has listened to the feedback I provided as part of a national consultation event earlier this year and is helping the police to apply for orders that will keep victims safe by imposing restrictions on offenders, such as staying away from the victims home or workplace, and making them subject to meaningful, positive requirements such as attending a programme designed to address their behaviour. Iโm also really pleased that, as I advocated, the breach of a SPO has been made a criminal offence, with meaningful sanctions attached including up to five years imprisonment.
Noting that the new orders are intended to offer additional protection to those targeted by strangers, including acquaintances, colleagues or clients, she added: โWe await the fine details but remain hopeful that these orders will be made available to victims of both โstranger stalkingโ and stalking by an intimate partner โ since statistics indicate that 50 to 70pc of these offences take place in the context of domestic abuse, particularly when the victim has left a violent/abusive partner. We are also hopeful that they will be long enough (e.g. at least 12 months in duration) to be effective in changing behaviour and will include the possibility of electronic tagging โ which can alert officers when the offender comes with a certain radius of the victim.โ
