Police in England and Wales Get New Guidance on Stalking Cases
Police forces in England and Wales have been given new guidance to intervene in stalking cases before they escalate, following reports that current measures are not doing enough to help victims. Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs) were introduced in 2020 to allow police to impose restrictions on stalkers, but figures show that they are not being fully utilized.
The new guidance, issued by safeguarding minister Laura Farris, lowers the standard of proof required to issue an SPO. Previously, police had to meet the criminal standard of “beyond reasonable doubt.” Now, they only need to persuade a judge on the balance of probabilities that an SPO is appropriate.
This change is intended to make it easier for victims to obtain protection from stalkers. Emma Lingley-Clark, Interim CEO of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, a charity that supports victims of stalking, welcomed the announcement but said more needs to be done to ensure that SPOs are being used effectively.
The new guidance comes as the Netflix series “Baby Reindeer” has drawn attention to the issue of stalking. The show follows the story of Donny, a struggling comedian who is stalked by a woman named Martha. The character of Donny is based on the real-life experiences of the show’s star and writer, Richard Gadd, who was stalked for four years.
Stalking is a serious issue that can have a devastating impact on victims. According to the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, one in five women and one in ten men experience stalking. Victims often do not report stalking to the police until after repeated incidents, and many cases go unreported altogether.
The new guidance is a welcome step towards improving the response of police to stalking cases. However, it is important to ensure that the guidance is implemented effectively and that police forces are given the resources they need to support victims of stalking.
