BAN ON STALKERS
Measures to stop victims being contacted during police investigations
STALKERS could be slapped with court orders being brought into force to stop them in their tracks while they are investigated by police. Officers will be able to apply to magistrates for a Stalking Protection Order (SPO), blocking alleged perpetrators from contacting or approaching their victims while a probe into their behaviour continues.
The measures have been introduced in a bid to act at “the earliest opportunity” to protect victims from further approaches and take tougher steps on stalkers.
Usually in place for a minimum of two years, those who breach the civil order could end up behind bars for five years.
Campaigners and victims welcomed the news, but warned orders would only be effective if action was taken quickly and many still did not understand the dangers of stalking.
Clive Ruggles, of the Alice Ruggles Trust, described the orders as a “powerful new tool”, but said it was “critical” there was no delay in arresting perpetrators who breach them, adding: “Any other response may well escalate the risk to the victim.”
He said the existence of SPOs could have made a “critical difference” in the case of his 24-year-old daughter, who was murdered by her jealous ex-boyfriend.
It is estimated one in five women and one in 10 men aged 16 and over in England and Wales have experienced some form of stalking, according to a crime survey carried out on behalf of the Office for National Statistics.
As well as a ban on pursuing victims, courts could use the new ruling to force perpetrators to seek professional help and urgent cases could be fast tracked with an interim order imposed.
Katy Bourne, chairman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and a victim of stalking, had to face court on her own to get a civil injunction in her case.
She told the PA news agency SPOs were a “breakthrough” and, if they had been in place during her ordeal, would have given her “peace of mind” and night”.
But they must be “properly enforced”, she said, adding: “Giving the police the power to apply for the order takes the pressure off the victim and means the police are taking it seriously and listening.” helped her
“sleep at
Nurse Raine Lacy, whose multimillionaire ex-partner pursued her after their relationship broke down, said SPOs were a “really good idea” while an investigation was ongoing but their success would depend on “how quickly the police step in”, adding: “There are still a lot of police who
STALKING Protection Orders (SPOs) come into force tomorrow in a bid to protect complainants from alleged perpetrators “at the earliest opportunity” while allegations are being investigated by police.
WHAT IS STALKING?
Behaviour that is fixated, obsessive, unwanted and repeated, according to recently updated College of Policing guidance to officers.
Professionals have started using the acronym FOUR in a bid to find a simple way to help police and complainants identify and understand the warning signs of stalking.
WHAT IS A STALKING PROTECTION ORDER?
A civil court ruling – similar to a restraining order – which was created under the Stalking Protection Bill and can be used by police from Monday. Why are they needed?
Nearly a quarter of all women
(21%) and 10% of men in England and Wales have experienced some form of stalking since the age of 16, the latest crime survey carried out on behalf of the Office for National Statistics suggests.
This indicates an estimated 6.5 million people – 4.5 million of which are women – have been affected by stalking, according to the research.
There were 19,374 offences of stalking recorded by the police between April 2018 and March 2019, a rise of 88% on the previous year (10,296).
In 2018/19, 2,209 stalking prosecutions were launched – the highest number ever recorded and marking a 37% rise from 1,616 in the previous year. don’t iour.”
John Harley, a former University of Brighton chairman, admitted harassment while a stalking charge was dropped as it carried the same sentence: a suspended five-week jail term and an indefinite restraining order banning him from contacting or visiting Ms Lacy, her family or employers.
Campaigner Sam Taylor, who runs a victim support group in Sussex, said the orders could give victims “respite” from being relentlessly pursued.
Suky Bhaker, acting chief executive of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, named after the 25-year-old estate agent who went missing in 1986 and is presumed murdered, said the move was an “important step forward in the way stalking is handled” and “an acknowledgement of the suffering victims of stalking can face”.
Victoria Atkins, minister for safeguarding and vulnerability, said: “I am determined that we do everything we can to better protect victims and new Stalking Protection Orders will help the police to intervene and take action against perpetrators.” understand stalking behav
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Police can apply to magistrates for an order after a complainant has reported someone for stalking, or if such behaviour comes to the attention of officers by other means such as during a separate investigation.
If granted, the courts could impose restrictions on the alleged perpetrator while the police continue to investigate the claims. This could include a ban on contacting or approaching the complainant.
Magistrates could even order the accused to attend a mental health assessment or an intervention programme.
SPOs would stay in force for at least two years, until a time fixed by the court or until a further order is made.
Although it is a civil order, breaching it is a criminal offence and stalkers could face going to jail for up to five years.
There are plans for police to fasttrack cases and gain an interim order if complainants are thought to be in urgent need of protection.
WHAT OTHER WORK HAS BEEN DONE TO TACKLE STALKING? Perpetrators can get up to 10 years behind bars for stalking and harassment after tougher sentences were introduced in 2017.
A body was set up to oversee the police response to domestic abuse, stalking and harassment which is being led by the Home Secretary.
A series of funding drives have been launched to look at training and new ways to tackle stalking, as well as £50,000 a year from the Home Office to pay for the National Stalking Helpline run by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.