Change in the way that the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) deals with stalking and harassment have been welcomed. A new joint protocol replaces the previous agreement introduced in 2014 by the CPS and the then Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). Updated advice from the College of Policing for police officers on stalking and harassment is also being developed.
CPS Lead for Stalking and Harassment, Joanna Coleman called the protocol a significant shift in how police and prosecutors are expected to respond to cases. She said: “Stalking and harassment are often among the most complex offences that police and prosecutors deal with, and frequently involve victims who have faced harrowing experiences at the hands of manipulative offenders. By assessing the full context of an allegation, including the suspect’s behaviour and the cumulative impact that has had on a complainant, police and prosecutors will need to specifically answer why a case does not meet the description of stalking.
“Investigating and prosecuting these crimes requires a considered approach that looks beyond one-off incidents towards the pattern of behaviour, and how this has affected the safety and wellbeing of a victim and their family.
“Along with improved training and guidance, we hope this will lead to stalking cases being identified faster, and handled more effectively. Over the next four months all CPS prosecutors will undertake mandatory training on stalking and harassment, which has been developed following the inspectorates’ report.
At the National Police Chiefs’ Council, NPCC Lead for Stalking and Harassment, Deputy Chief Constable Paul Mills said: “Stalking and harassment offences can have a harrowing, life changing and long-lasting effect on victims. We are committed to bringing offenders to justice and safeguarding victims at the earliest opportunity.
“Following the publication of the HMICFRS and HMCPSI report in 2017, we acknowledged that we needed to change the way in which police forces deal with these types of offences. This protocol aims to improve the investigation and prosecution of stalking and harassment cases, while enhancing outcomes and keeping victims safe.
“In the past, police too often looked at stalking incidents in isolation, meaning that wefailed to consider the full picture of alleged offending and the associated risks. This protocol requires police and prosecutors to examine the wider circumstances in each case and identify patterns of stalking behaviour. The protocol will also require police and prosecutors to regularly review the progress of cases, to ensure that all investigative opportunities are being pursued”.
Chief Executive of Suzy Lamplugh Trust Rachel Griffin, said: “We welcome efforts by the Crown Prosecution Service and police to improve the way that cases of stalking are handled. It is positive that recommendations from the HMICFRS and HMCPSI stalking and harassment report are being taken seriously, and that victim safety is being prioritised within new guidance.
“Stalking affects over one million people every year, and has a significant physical and psychological impact on victims, causing serious distress, alarm and fear. It is vital that professionals across the criminal justice system recognise and respond to concerning patterns of behaviours. We are pleased to see an increased focus on training and recognition of stalking. We hope that this will improve understanding of this insidious crime across the country, and lead to more early identification and responses to stalking.”
The Trust has a stand at the Safety & Health Expo alongside IFSEC at London Excel from June 19 to 21.
